Comment on “Role of Breast Imaging Radiologists as Advocates for Screening Mammography”

We read with great interest the article “Role of Breast Imaging Radiologists as Advocates for Screening Mammography,” published April 10, 2020 (1). We commend the authors on their comprehensive overview of the myriad of advocacy opportunities for breast radiologists with regards to screening mammography. It is with respect that we would like to offer additional efficacious opportunities for advocacy in the community, because supporting local and national legislation and other forms of public service is an important part of the radiologist’s role.

For example, the state of Colorado has passed multiple pieces of legislation in recent years regarding increasing access to, the education of, and the awareness of breast health. These include Senate Bill 17–142 Breast Density Notification Required (signed into law in 2017) and House Bill 19–1301 Health Insurance For Breast Imaging (signed into law in 2019) (2).

Surveys have demonstrated that patients who knew or wanted to know their breast density had stronger intentions or a higher likelihood of getting screening mammograms (3,4). Additionally, women who have insurance coverage are more likely to report having had a screening mammogram in the past two years compared with uninsured women (5).

Breast imaging radiologists can participate in stakeholder meetings, write and edit legislation, and testify on bills in writing or in person. These opportunities are reinforced when radiologists play active roles in advocacy or government relations committees, legislative councils, and health policy-making sessions of their state and/or national specialty and medical societies. We also encourage breast imaging radiologists to seek out and serve on regional and national advisory boards. For example, the state of Colorado’s Department of Public Health & Environment has a breast and cervical cancer screening advisory board. This board is composed of diverse community volunteers, and breast imaging radiologists have held seats on this board in the recent past.

Thank you for considering our additions to the roles and contributions of breast imaging radiologists in advocacy for screening mammography.

Conflict of Interest Statement

None declared.

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