The Patient's Perspective

I was most honored to have the chance to share my patient perspective with Dr. Danielle Sharek for the Society of Breast Imaging 's 2024 winter newsletter. The questions were an opportunity for thought and reflection on my diagnosis, and advocacy and legislative efforts. The article can be accessed HERE.

What did I learn from my experience? That patients need to be informed about tests they are being sent for—and should specifically ask what the benefit and realistic limitations are for those tests in their personal situation, in my case, extremely dense breast tissue. Patient advocates have been instrumental in the success of "density inform" laws and the FDA's Sept 2024 standardized reporting requirement for dense breasts means all U.S. women will soon receive consistent information about breast density.

Next up - legislative efforts for expanded insurance coverage for breast imaging when a mammogram is incomplete screening. While about 25 states have expanded insurance coverage laws, they are inconsistent and many plans are exempt from state insurance laws. The federal Find It Early Act (FIEA) would ensure all health insurance plans cover screening and diagnostic breast imaging with no out-of-pocket costs for women with dense breasts or at higher risk for breast cancer, close loopholes inherent in state insurance laws, and cover all private and public plans, including TRICARE and Veterans Health Administration plans.