Notice to Patients of Determination That Patient Has Dense or Extremely Dense Breasts

1. Law
2. Tennessee Code
3. Professions of the Healing Arts
4. Medicine and Surgery
5. General Provisions
6. Notice to Patients of Determination That Patient Has Dense or Extremely Dense Breasts

1. As used in this section, “physician” means an individual authorized by this chapter to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery pursuant to chapter 9 of this title.
2. If a physician has determined, after a mammogram is performed, that a patient has dense breasts or extremely dense breasts, based on the breast imaging reporting and data system established by the American College of Radiology, the facility where the mammogram was performed shall provide the following notice to the patient:

   Your mammogram shows that you have dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue is common. However, dense breast tissue can hide breast cancer, so that it may not be seen on routine mammography. It may also be associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. You should discuss these results with your doctor to determine if additional tests might be helpful. A report of your mammogram results, which contains information about your breast density, has been sent to your doctor's office.

3. This section shall become operative on January 1, 2014. Nothing in this section shall be construed to create or impose liability for failing to comply with the requirements of this section. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to create a duty of care or other legal obligation beyond the duty to provide notice as set forth in this section. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to require a notice that is inconsistent with the federal Mammography Quality Standards Act (42 U.S.C. § 263b) or any regulations promulgated pursuant to that act.

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