AL HR437

American Cancer Society estimates 40,610 women in the United States will die from breast cancer in 2017, with approximately 650 deaths expected in Alabama and 440 men from Alabama.

Approximately 252,710 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women and 2,740 cases in men nationally in 2017, with about 3,960 cases occurring in Alabama women.

Alabama Legislature passed Act 2013-284 requiring physicians to notify women when mammograms indicate dense breast tissue, which makes cancer detection more difficult and increases breast cancer risk.

Dense breast tissue notification encourages women to be more vigilant in testing, screening, and seeking additional diagnostic options, and strengthens the doctor-patient relationship.

House of Representatives recognizes October 2017 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and expresses support for early detection and notification of dense breast tissue in combating breast cancer.