A New FDA Ruling Can Help Black Women in the Fight Against Breast Cancer. What You Should Know

Each October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we amplify the importance of being knowledgeable on the risks and impact of the disease while also celebrating the brave individuals who have survived their own bout. As technology evolves, so do the testing mechanisms available to help us better detect the signs and symptoms. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a ruling that could significantly help Black women. The update requires mammography result summaries to start, including a breast density notification statement. This rule may save lives in the Black community, as Black women tend to have denser breast tissue than white women, which may increase their risk of breast cancer and make it more difficult to spot the initial signs on a mammogram. Ultimately, it standardizes the notification language people receive, ensuring all individuals across the country have consistent information about the makeup of their breast tissue.  “The new federal rule on breast density provides women across the U.S. with vital and more consistent information on their breast density. Women with very dense breasts are 4-5 times more likely to get breast cancer than women with fatty breasts, and some studies show that Black women are more likely to...