Breast Density: Breast Cancer

Not Sure if you have dense breasts? Why does it matter? Ask your doctor which breast cancer screening options are right for you.

What is breast density?

Breasts are made up of a mixture of fibrous and glandular tissue and fatty tissue. Your breasts are considered dense if  you have a lot of fibrous or glandular tissue but not much fat. Density may decrease with age, but there is little. If any, change in most women.

How do I know if I have dense breasts?

Breast density is determined by the radiologist who reads your mammogram. There are four categories of mammographic density. The radiologist assigns each mammogram to one of the categories. Your doctor should be able to tell you whether you have dense breasts based on where you fall on the density scale.

Breast density in the U.S.

*10% of women have almost entirely fatty breasts.

*10% have extremely dense breasts.

*80% are classified into one of two middle categories.

Extremely dense breasts: 10%

Heterogeneously dense breasts: 40%

Almost entirely fatty breasts: 10%

Scattered areas of fibroglandular density in breasts: 40%

Why is breast density important?

Having dense breast tissue may increase your risk of getting breast cancer. Dense breasts also make it more difficult for doctors to spot cancer on mammograms. Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram. Lumps, both benign and cancerous, also appear white. So, mammograms can be less accurate in women with dense breasts.

If I have dense breasts, do I still need a mammogram?

Yes. A mammogram is the only medical imaging screening test proven to reduce breast cancer deaths. Many cancers are seen on mammograms even if you have dense breast tissue.

Are there any tests that are better than a mammogram for dense breasts?

In breasts that are dense, cancer can be hard to see on a mammogram. Studies have shown that ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help find breast cancers that can’t be seen on a mammogram. However, both MRI and ultrasound, show more findings that are not cancer, which can result in added testing and unnecessary biopsies. Also, the cost of ultrasound and MRI may not be covered by insurance.

What should I do if I have dense breasts? What is I don’t?

If you have dense breasts, please talk to your doctor. Together, you can decide which, if any, additional screening exams are right for you.

If your breasts are not dense, other factors may still place you at increased risk for breast cancer-including a family history of the disease, previous  chest radiation treatment for cancer and previous breast biopsies that show you are high risk. Talk to your doctor and discuss your history.

Even if you are at low risk and entirely fatty breasts, you should still get an annual mammogram starting at age 40.

The American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology, Society of Breast Imaging and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, among others, recommend that all women have yearly mammograms beginning at age 40. Women at high risk may benefit from starting earlier.

Resources:

For more information on breast cancer screening, visit MammographySavesLives.org or Radiologyinfo.org.

acr.org/1-800-227-5463

Disclaimer: This information was taken directly from the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the credit for the work is given to them. Please call the above number or email them for more information.