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A recent Food and Drug Administration rule, effective September 10, 2024, has changed how mammogram results are shared across the United States. All mammogram reports now include information about breast density. This means that patients will be better informed about their breast health and can discuss any concerns with their healthcare provider.
Having dense breasts can make it harder to detect cancer on a mammogram and increases the risk of developing breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second-most common cancer for women in the United States.
Huntsman Cancer Institute experts recommend a yearly mammogram so we asked three of our specialists, Cindy Matsen, MD, leader of the Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Center, Phoebe Freer, MD, chief of breast imaging, and Saundra Buys, MD, chief of oncology, to share their knowledge.
Our Experts
What is dense breast tissue?
Dense breast tissue is a term that describes the breast’s appearance during a mammogram. Breasts are made of two kinds of tissues: fat and active breast tissue. When patients have dense breasts, they have more active breast tissue.
Fatty tissue appears black or gray on a mammogram, while active tissue is white. Cancer also appears white. This can make finding cancer in dense breast tissue difficult.
If I have lumpy breasts, does that mean I have dense breast tissue?
Breast tissue is always lumpy, but that doesn't mean you have dense breasts. Density is only detected on a mammogram.
How common are dense breasts?
There are four categories of breast density and only those in the top two categories are considered to have "dense breasts". Fifty percent of women fall into these two categories, but only a small percentage have "extremely dense breasts". The rest have a wide spectrum of increased density and should discuss this with their doctors.
How do I know if I have dense breast tissue?
Dense breast tissue can only be found through a mammogram. In the state of Utah, providers are required to notify you if you have dense breast tissue. Once notified, you can work with your radiologist to make a screening plan based on your history and risk of developing breast cancer.
Does breast density increase my cancer risk?
Yes, dense breast tissue can increase your cancer risk. Most people with dense breast tissue are 1.2 times more likely to develop breast cancer than average.
Is there a way to prevent or reduce dense breast tissue?
Unfortunately, there's not a lot that you can do to reduce your breast density. Breast density can change with age, usually decreasing as women get older. Some of the hormone blocking medication used for breast cancer treatments can reduce breast density, but these medications are not recommended except in specific circumstances.
Are mammograms effective for people with dense breasts?
Mammograms remain the best test for early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer. People who get mammograms reduce their chance of death from breast cancer by 30%. 3D mammograms, offered at any University of Utah Health screening site, including Huntsman Cancer Institute's Cancer Screening and Education Bus, are better than a standard 2D mammogram for people with dense breasts.
No matter what your tissue density is, if you feel a mass, talk with your doctor.