Washington state OKs dense breast bill

The state of Washington has become the 33rd state to require that clinicians inform women if they have dense breasts, effective January 1, 2019.

The signature of Gov. Jay Inslee on the bill culminates a four-year campaign by Bellingham resident Kathy Vielhaber, whose sister died from breast cancer after her cancer was missed, according to the Are You Dense Advocacy group.

Two more states -- Florida and Wisconsin -- are awaiting signatures from their respective governors to enact similar legislation, the group said.