![]() ![]() Talk with your doctor to make informed decisions about breast cancer screening. While it is recommended that all women get mammograms starting at age 40, women with dense breasts should consider the range of options for breast exams. Imaging Options for People with Dense Breasts Studies have shown that dense breasts have an increased risk of developing cancer, compared to non-dense breasts. “It is easier to detect an abnormal change in the dense glandular tissue if it is surrounded by darker fat, rather than if it is surrounded by white gland tissue,” Myers says.ĭo dense breasts increase breast cancer risks? In a scan with mostly dense tissue and therefore lots of white, it may be harder to find a small cancerous area,” which also is white. Myers says that on a mammogram, glandular (dense) tissue “appears white, while fat tissue appears dark. Small cancerous areas may be harder to see in dense breasts. How do dense breasts affect the detection of breast cancer? With this information and your family history, your doctor can determine if you need more screening exams. If your state doesn’t require breast density to be included on a mammogram report, you can ask your radiologist to tell you your classification. Early-stage cancers are more often detected by women who have their mammograms read by breast imaging specialists. Radiologists are medical doctors who have completed a four-year residency in radiology and who specialize in diagnosing and treating conditions using medical imaging.īreasts imaging specialists are radiologists who only read breast imaging exams. Who reads my mammogram to determine if I have dense breasts?Īfter your mammogram, you will receive a written report with the radiologist’s findings. Many states require that mammogram reports include information about breast density. Breast density can only be determined through a mammogram. There are four types of breast density, from most to least dense:Īmong women, 45% have dense breasts. A woman’s breast density can change through her life. Dense breasts have mostly glandular tissue, with just a little fat tissue. Breast density refers to the amount of glandular and fibrous tissue. explains: In general, breasts have glandular and fatty tissue. Johns Hopkins breast imaging specialist Kelly Myers, M.D. ![]()
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