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Mammogram Details to be Unleashed with Governor's Signature

Women in Louisiana could soon be guaranteed full reports on their mammograms, thanks to a bill that passed the legislature last week.  The story Monica Helo told lawmakers helped make that happen.  

"In May of 2013," Helo said, "while performing self-examination, I located a large, hard, flat spot in my upper-right breast."

Three weeks later, Helo had her annual mammogram, then a biopsy of the lump. It was Stage 3 breast cancer.  When she went to MD Anderson for treatment, she found out what no one had told her about her previous mammograms.  She didn't know about her 2009 report, "which indicated 'two benign-appearing masses in my upper right breast' until 2013."  

"These masses were not followed up on or mentioned in my 2010, 2011, or 2012 reports," she said.

Had she known about the findings in 2009, Helo says she would have insisted on a biopsy at that time, and there would have been follow-up then.

What Helo asked lawmakers for "is that all patients receive a copy of the actual narrative report of the mammogram and breast ultrasound."

Crowley Rep. Jack Montoucet shepherded House Bill 186 through the legislature to help others avoid what Helo has gone through.  

"What this does," said Montoucet, "is provides more information so the patients can make a more intelligent decision when it comes to their treatment."

Twenty-one other states have adopted similar legislation. Texas started it in 2011 with “Henda’s Law.”  

"Knowledge is power," Helo said.  The bill to provide that for women in Louisiana is on the governor's desk, awaiting his approval.

CORRECTION: Connecticut, with legislation passed in 2009, was the first state to require that women with dense breasts be notified of that following a mammogram. Twenty-two states preceded Louisiana in approving such a requirement, including Texas with Henda's Law. Those state laws do not necessarily require patients receive a full narrative report of their breast screening.