New Rule for Mammograms in New Jersey

Women in New Jersey who have mammograms will now get a letter informing them about breast density.

New Jersey on Thursday joined 14 other states in requiring radiologists to tell their patients that dense breasts can mask tumors.

The law also requires insurance companies to raise coverage for ultrasound screenings.

Laurie Scofield of Wayne tells The Star-Ledger of Newark she was told a lump in her breast was a cyst because it didn't show up on a mammogram. A year later, she learned the cyst was really Stage 3 cancer.

Scofield acknowledges New Jersey's law is vague because it tells all women they "may" have dense breasts, even though the radiologist knows each woman's specific density rating.

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