Breast density notification: evidence on whether benefit outweighs harm is required to inform future screening practice

Abstract

We believe that it is imperative to have robust evidence about whether to communicate breast density information to women and, if so, how best to do it. Before this happens, there first needs to be an assessment of the balance between the benefits and harms at the societal level. There is also a need for a better understanding of both the short-term and long-term effects that breast density notification have had on women in the USA. Developing an appropriate strategy for whether to and for whom to inform, including how to effectively notify women and communicate the potential benefits and harms of density information in other countries may still be feasible. This will take time, so for now, screening services and programmes could contribute through carefully planned research that assesses the impact of providing breast density information to women on both the societal and individual levels.