Leising: Bill to Improve Breast Cancer Screenings Moves to the Governor's Desk

The bill passed through the Senate on Tuesday.

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INDIANAPOLIS - A bill sponsored by State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) that would improve breast cancer screenings in Indiana passed the Senate on Tuesday.

House Enrolled Act 1058 would codify into state law Food and Drug Administration-approved standards for increasing transparency with patients and their health care providers on whether the patient has dense breasts after receiving a mammogram.

Breast density is the ratio of connective tissue to fatty tissue in the breast, and denser tissue can make it difficult to identify and diagnose breast cancer.

"Receiving mammograms is an essential part of a woman's health because it can be critical in identifying whether breast cancer is present. However, those with dense breasts are at greater risk of breast cancer because it can be hard to read on mammograms," Leising said. "By increasing transparency with the patient and their health care provider, both parties can make better informed decisions regarding the patient's unique medical needs."

Letters given to the patient would be required to tell them whether their breasts are dense or not and that dense tissue makes it harder to identify cancer on a mammogram, which limits early detection of breast cancer. Patients with dense breasts would also be advised, under certain circumstances, to talk to their health care provider about whether additional testing is needed.

HEA 1058 will now move to the governor's desk for final consideration. To track bills on the governor's desk, click here.

The Indiana General Assembly has until March 14 to complete legislative business during the 2024 legislative session. Agendas, vote tallies and proposed legislation can be viewed online by visiting iga.in.gov.

To learn more about HEA 1058, click here.