Federal report would assess breast cancer risk tools and gaps

The Health and Human Services Secretary would report to Congress on problems with current breast cancer risk tools and plans for a single public tool. The report would cover inaccuracies, gaps in use among different groups, and factors behind those problems. It would also outline planning for a comprehensive, publicly accessible tool, ways to inform the public, and recommendations for building agreement among patients, providers, and other relevant groups. The report would be due no later than 180 days after the Act is enacted.

Federal breast cancer grant programs would list activities involving risk assessments, staff training, public education, and research on assessment tools. The listed activities include using validated models in clinical care and standardized tools in appropriate settings, including electronic health records. The research would aim to improve accuracy across racial, ethnic, geographic, and age groups.

States receiving these grants would report information about risk assessments and follow-up services to the Secretary. Reports would cover assessment numbers, people identified as being at elevated risk, referrals, and differences in access among communities. The Secretary would set the reporting time and format. The Secretary could not award a grant unless the state agreed to provide the required reports.