title: Knowledge of Density and Screening Ultrasound.
abstract: To determine breast density awareness and attitudes regarding supplemental breast ultrasound screening since implementation of the nation's first breast density notification law, Connecticut Public Act 09-41. A self-administered survey was distributed at a Connecticut academic breast imaging center between February 2013 and February 2014. Women with prior mammography reports describing heterogeneous or extremely dense breast tissue were invited to participate when presenting for screening mammography, screening ultrasound, or both. Data were collected on breast density awareness, history of prior ultrasounds, attitudes toward ultrasound and breast-cancer risk, and demographics. Data were collected from 950 completed surveys. The majority of surveyed women (92%) were aware of their breast density, and 77% had undergone a prior screening ultrasound. Forty-three percent of participants who were aware of their breast density also expressed increased anxiety about developing breast cancer due to having dense breast tissue. Caucasian race and higher education were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with knowledge of personal breast density (93% and 95%, respectively) and having a prior screening breast ultrasound (79% and 80%, respectively). Patients with less than a college degree (82%) were significantly more likely to rely exclusively on their provider's recommendation regarding obtaining screening ultrasound (p < 0.05). Breast density awareness is strongly associated with higher education, higher income, and Caucasian race. Non-Caucasian patients and those with less than a college education rely more heavily on their physicians' recommendations regarding screening ultrasound. Among women aware of their increased breast density, nearly half reported associated increased anxiety regarding the possibility of developing breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Nitya S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Moothathu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Liane E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Philpotts
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Management, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Susan H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Busch
authors.affiliation: General Internal Medicine and the Cancer Outcomes Public Policy and Effectiveness Research (COPPER) Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Cary P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.affiliation: Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Biomedical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Lawrence H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Staib
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Regina J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hooley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000071060:Breast Density; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003237:Connecticut; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016217:Ultrasonography, Mammary / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: breast density notification laws; breast-cancer screening; dense breasts; ultrasound