Understanding Breast Density: What You Need to Know About Your Mammogram Results

If you've recently had a mammogram, you may soon receive a letter informing you about your breast density. This is due to a new proposal by the FDA that, if approved, will require mammography facilities to notify patients about their breast density. But what exactly is breast density, and why is it important?

What is Breast Density?

Breast density is a measure of the proportion of active tissue versus fat in your breasts. Breasts are composed of fibrous and glandular tissue (which appears white on a mammogram) and fatty tissue (which appears dark). The more fibrous and glandular tissue you have, the denser your breasts are.

Breast density is classified into four categories:

• Almost entirely fatty (10% of women)

• Scattered areas of fibroglandular density (40% of women)

• Heterogeneously dense (40% of women)

• Extremely dense (10% of women)

Why is Breast Density Important?

Breast density is important because it can affect the accuracy of your mammogram results. Dense breast tissue appears white on a mammogram, making it more difficult to detect cancerous tumors, which also appear white. This means that women with dense breasts may have a higher risk of false-negative mammogram results, where a tumor is present but not detected.

Additionally, having dense breasts is itself a risk factor for developing breast cancer. Women with extremely dense breasts have a four to six times higher risk of developing breast cancer than women with fatty breasts.

What Can You Do if You Have Dense Breasts?

If you receive a letter informing you that you have dense breasts, don't panic. Having dense breasts is common and does not necessarily mean you will develop breast cancer. However, there are steps you can take to manage your breast cancer risk:

• Talk to your doctor about your individual risk factors and whether additional screening tests, such as ultrasound or MRI, may be appropriate for you.

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and limiting alcohol consumption.

• Perform monthly breast self-exams and report any changes or concerns to your doctor.

• Stay informed about the latest research and guidelines on breast cancer screening and prevention.

Remember, knowledge is power when it comes to your breast health. By understanding your breast density and working with your healthcare provider, you can take proactive steps to manage your breast cancer risk factors.

For more information on breast density and breast cancer risk, visit:

• American Cancer Society - Breast Density and Your Mammogram Report

• Breastcancer.org - Dense Breasts

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - What Does It Mean to Have Dense Breasts?