Sadly, Nancy Cappello passed away on November 15, 2018.

She was the champion of the breast density issue, and the driving force behind legislation that has now been passed in 36 states… that requires women to be notified if they have dense breast tissue, and that they may benefit from a supplemental form of screening.

Her cause of death was an infection associated with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare form of blood cancer that was likely the result of the chemotherapy and radiation treatments she received during her battle with breast cancer.

You may recall Nancy’s story if you have read the section “Breast Density and Early Detection” on this website. She was the founder of AreYouDense.org.

“I am on a quest to expose this best-kept secret of dense breast tissue to ensure that women with dense breast tissue receive screening and diagnostic measures to find cancer at its earliest stages,” she wrote. “Isn’t that the purpose of screening programs?”

Her contribution to women and to the goal of early detection of breast cancer is immeasurable. Our deepest condolences to her family and friends, as well as a promise that we will continue to work to further the important movement that she started.