Breast Density - What Does it Mean?
Breast density reflects the amount of fibrous and glandular tissue in a woman’s breasts compared with the amount of fatty tissue in the breasts, as seen on a mammogram.
On a mammography report, breast density is assigned to one of the following four categories:
- The breast are almost entirely fatty.
- A few areas of dense tissue are scattered through the breasts (scattered fibroglandular density).
- The breast are heterogeneously dense (or evenly dense) throughout.
- The breasts are extremely dense.
Women in the first two categories are said to have low-density, non-dense, or fatty breasts.
Women in the second two categories are said to have high-density or dense breasts. About half of women who are 40 years old or older have dense breasts.
Breast density, in combination with other factors, can affect your individual lifetime risk for breast cancer.
Why is Breast Density Important?
Dense tissue can hide cancers. Fibrous and glandular tissue looks white on a mammogram. So does a possible tumor. Because it is hard to tell the difference between a tumor and dense breast tissue on a mammogram, a small tumor may be missed.
The image on the left shows a mostly fatty breast. The image on the right shows a dense breast.
Breast Cancer Risk
Women with dense breasts have a higher chance of getting breast cancer. The more dense areas your breasts have, the higher your risk. Scientists do not know for sure why this is true.
What Can I Do to Decrease My Risk for Breast Cancer?
- Talk to your doctor about screenings for breast cancer.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes daily most days of the week.
- Limit post-menopausal hormone exposure.
- Eat a healthy diet limiting processed foods and high-fat foods.
- Stop Smoking.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
If you have other risk factors that puts you at a higher risk for breast cancer, you may need additional treatment, including prescription medications or preventative surgeries to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
How Do I Find Out My Individual Risk?
Talk to your doctor about your risk for breast cancer. You may need additional imaging tests, screenings, and exams in addition to yearly screening mammogram, if you have dense breast tissue or are at high risk based on family history.
Breast Cancer Risk Through Knowledge
- One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Many women believe breast cancer is hereditary, but that is true only 10% of the time.
- Monitor breast cancer risk factors with the same heightened attention given to blood pressure, cholesterol level, and body-mass index.
- Medical history from both sides of a woman’s lineage is crucial in understanding risk.
Learn more. Make informed decisions. Don’t leave cancer to chance.
