Henda’s Law and breast imaging

Henda’s Law, Texas H.B. 2102, was enacted January 1, 2012 to promote improved breast cancer detection in women with dense breasts. The law requires the following information to be given to women who have had a mammogram:

“If your mammogram demonstrates that you have dense breast tissue, which could hide abnormalities, and you have other risk factors for breast cancer that have been identified, you might benefit from supplemental screening tests that may be suggested by your ordering physician.

Dense breast tissue, in and of itself, is a relatively common condition. Therefore, this information is not provided to cause undue concern, but rather to raise your awareness and to promote discussion with your physician regarding the presence of other risk factors, in addition to dense breast tissue.

A report of your mammogram results will be sent to you and your physician. You should contact your physician if you have any questions or concerns regarding this report.”

Scheduling: 512-453-6100 (Patient cal l l ine) Fax referrals: 512-836-8869

ausrad.com

The law states that supplemental screening may benefit some women with dense breasts. This recommendation is based on studies showing that for women with dense breasts, a combination of mammography plus supplemental screening provides the highest detection rate for breast cancer.

ARA supports the goal of Henda’s Law to promote improved breast cancer detection. To this end ARA has initiated a supplemental breast screening program to complement our mammography program. You can find risk assessment information and risk calculators on the ARA website at www.ausrad.com to determine your lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. This information can be used by you and your clinician in conjunction with your breast density information to determine if you would benefit from supplemental screening.

A U S T I N R A D I O L O G I C A L A S S O C I AT I O N

Supplemental breast screening with

MOLECULAR BREAST IMAGINGAdvanced accuracy in cancer detection

A U S T I N R A D I O L O G I C A L A S S O C I AT I O N

Molecular breast imaging (MBI)

Of the supplemental screening modalities available for women with dense breasts, one of the most effective is low dose molecular breast imaging (MBI). MBI takes advantage of the difference in metabolism of malignant cells compared to normal breast tissue to identify breast cancers. This difference is not affected by the density of the surrounding breast tissue. MBI is therefore helpful in finding a subset of cancers that can be obscured by dense breast tissue on mammogram.

Strengths of low dose MBI:• Highsensitivityforbreastcancerdetection• Highspecificityforbreastcancerdetection• Unaffectedbybreastdensity• Lowradiationdose

20 mm cancer seen on MBI and mammogram

additional 10 mm cancer seen on MBI

IMAGES COURTESY OF THE MAYO CLINIC

Molecular breast imaging from Austin Radiological Association is available at

Women’s Imaging Center - Central1600 W. 38th Street, Suite 100 • Austin, TX 78731

To schedule an exam, please call 512.453-6100. For questions about the procedure, please call 512.275.0013.

ARA — Serving physicians and patientsAquiring cutting-edge technologies and information is an important part of Austin Radiological Association’s mission to provide Central Texas physicians and patients the highest quality radiological services. If you have questions about our low dose MBI system, we’d love to talk to you. Please contact the ARA Women’s Imaging Center at 512.275.0013.

ARA has been a vital provider of diagnostic imaging services to the central Texas medical community since 1954. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life of every patient we see by offering a full range of health imaging capabilities while providing excellent patient care based on a foundation of partnership. Our experienced, board-certified radiologists—many with subspecialty fellowship training—work with a dedicated and highly trained staff of ARRT-, NMTCB- and ARDMS-registered technologists.

About the MBI exam:• YouwillbeinjectedwithalowdoseoftheMBIradiotracer,whichwill accumulate in any tumor that might be present. • Afterseveralminutes,youwillbebroughttotheMBIroom.The equipment is similar in appearance to a mammography machine.• Yourbreastswillbeimagedinthestandardmammogrampositions. Each image takes approximately 10 minutes to acquire. The breast is held in position with gentle compression, which is much lighter than the compression used for a mammogram.• Aftertheimagesareacquired,theyareinterpretedbyaboardcertified radiologist.

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