Breast density often Dense breast tissue can make it harder to detect the signs of cancer on a mammogram. Also, you may have to pay for these tests. Some images were created prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and may not demonstrate proper pandemic protocols. A computer then combines these images into several 1 mm slices through the breast that the radiologist can scroll through. WebA 2015 cohort study in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine found that people with dense breasts are more likely to have false-negative mammograms than those who do not Studies show that DBT significantly increases invasive cancer detection rates and decreases false alarms in women with dense breasts. Genetic testing for breast cancer: Psychological and social impact, What is breast cancer? Typically, fatty breast tissue will appear dark on an X-ray, while cancerous lesions will appear white. 2016;23:3119. Kelly Bilodeau, Breast Density and Your Mammogram Report. Knowing this may help doctors counsel people regarding breast cancer detection and treatment approaches. Risk-based breast cancer screening: Implications of breast density. The finding of dense breasts on a mammogram can be stressful and confusing for patients, says Dr. Toni Golen, acting editor in chief of Harvard Womens Health Watch. Mammography has been the main focus of breast cancer detection, but almost half of breast cancers in women ages 50 to 69 are first found by the women themselves or their clinicians, according to a study in the August 2011 Journal of Women's Health. Doctors know dense breast tissue makes breast cancer screening more difficult and it increases the risk of breast cancer. Its important to note that if women with dense breasts are diagnosed with breast cancer, they are not at higher risk of dying from breast cancer, compared to women without dense breasts. WebYou may be more likely to have dense breasts if you: Are younger Breast tissue tends to become less dense as you age, though some women may have dense breast tissue Your doctor may suggest one of these tests. The breasts are almost entirely fatty (about 10% of women). Want to reduce your risk of dementia? It needs to be taken in context of other breast cancer risk factors. About 1 in 10 women has this result. DBT is a relatively new technology, approved by the FDA in 2011. Most medical organizations recommend that women who have an average risk of breast cancer consider regular mammogram testing beginning in the 40s and consider repeating the test every 1-2 years. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. If youve had a breast cancer screening mammogram, your mammogram report told you about any abnormal findingsmasses, calcifications, or other atypical structurein your breast tissue. Breasts are classified as dense if they fall in the heterogeneously dense (C) or extremely dense (D) categories. Your breast is made of glandular, connective and fatty tissue. Will new drugs help prevent breast cancer? With less elasticity, the breasts lose The only way to decrease the density of your breast tissue is to take preventive tamoxifen, a medication reserved for people at increased risk for breast cancer. Despite concerns about detecting cancer in dense breasts, mammograms are still effective screening tools. Free standard shipping is valid on orders of $45 or more (after promotions and discounts are applied, regular shipping rates do not qualify as part of the $45 or more) shipped to US addresses only. In contrast to breast cancer tumors, benign lumps are often squishy. Why dont certain ones work for me? Some womens breasts are denser than others. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Whats more, women need to undergo additional testing (such as a breast biopsy) to determine if the finding is cancer or a false-positive. Dense breast tissue is common and normal. Roth Port lives in South Florida with her husband, two children, and two dogs. Also, while wearing a bra to bed is totally fine for comfort, don't expect that nighttime support to keep your girls in perfect shape. Dense breasts: Answers to commonly asked questions. Women with dense breasts have a higher risk of getting breast cancer. Doctors classify breast density based on whats called the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System, or BI-RADS. Are dense breasts a risk factor for breast cancer? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Some peoples breasts become more fatty (less dense) as they get older, but some people may have no change in their density. The four categories are: If your breast tissue is mostly fatty (A) or scattered fibroglandular (B): You have low breast density, and cancer is more likely to be visible on a mammogram. This content does not have an English version. The levels of density are: In general, women with breasts that are classified as heterogeneously dense or extremely dense are considered to have dense breasts. There are four categories used to describe breast density: Don't miss your FREE gift. Review your breast cancer risk factors with your doctor and consider your options for additional breast cancer screening tests. The good news is that as we get older, our breasts tend to become fattier and less dense. Doctors who review mammograms are called radiologists. WebThe breasts are extremely dense (about 10% of women). Having dense breasts is common. The American Cancer Society advise differently. MRI uses magnets instead of radiation to create images of the breast. Her articles have appeared in Prevention, Glamour, Self, iVillage.com, The Huffington Post, Fitness, Cosmopolitan, Parenting, Parents, Martha Stewart Weddings and other titles. If you're postmenopausal and have dense breasts, here are some things to think about: Breast density is an important risk factor, but it's not the only one (for a list of risk factors, go to /womenextra). Scientists dont know for sure why this is true. Bodyweight. Women in the first two categories are said to have low-density, non-dense, or fatty breasts. What does and doesnt cause a miscarriage. Since breast cancer is far more prevalent in women than men, it's important for men to know the symptoms in order to get diagnosed at an early stage. Many women will do just about anything they can to delay or even prevent sagging. My liver enzymes are elevated Now what? Dense breast tissue refers to the amount of fibroglandular and fibrous connective tissue thats present within your breast as compared to fatty tissue. MBI uses a special kind of camera called a gamma camera and a radioactive tracer. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and more! Just how effective are antidepressants, anyway? The four breast density categories are shown in this image. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. The bad news: If you lose a significant amount of weight, your skin is likely to sag in most places, including your breasts. Fibrous and glandular tissue looks white on a mammogram. "Also, breasts gradually change from having more breast tissue to having more fat, and this can make them appear less perky and even deflated looking," says Anne Taylor, chair of the public education committee for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and an adjunct associate professor in the department of plastic surgery at Ohio State University. Dense breasts have relatively high amounts of glandular tissue and fibrous connective tissue and relatively low amounts of fatty breast tissue. This can help tone up the tissues in your breast and lead to firmer breasts. Cookies used to track the effectiveness of CDC public health campaigns through clickthrough data. Its not clear why some women have a lot of dense breast tissue and others do not. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event. These changes can cause the breasts to appear smaller, and they BONUS! Dense breasts can make a mammogram more difficult to interpret. When doctors look at these images, they can distinguish between different tissues based on their appearance in the image. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. However, even people with breasts that are mostly fatty can get breast cancer. That's because dense breast tissue and some abnormal breast changes, such as calcifications and tumors, both appear as white areas in the mammogram, whereas fatty tissue appears as dark areas. Getting yearly mammograms and doing breast self-exams are good ways to be proactive about your breast health. If you have additional risk factors for breast cancer, your doctor may recommend changes to your breast cancer screening regimen. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. The tracer is injected into a vein in your arm and MBI analyzes the way tissues react to the tracer. If you would like to reproduce some or all of this content, see Reuse of NCI Information for guidance about copyright and permissions. For instance, the study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that a high BMI and a history of smoking were risk factors for breast sagging. Thanks for visiting. Policy. Tumors and other abnormalities also appear white, so they can be difficult to spot in dense tissue. More than 20 states have now passed laws requiring radiologists to inform people of a diagnosis of dense breasts, so that they can be aware of their increased cancer risk. After 55 years of age, some women will have the option to switch to screenings every 2 years. According to a 2008 study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, breastfeeding is not a risk factor for breast ptosis (another word for sagging). Your healthcare provider can talk to you about your options and what they recommend based on your risk for breast cancer and the results of your mammogram. This is considered high breast density. You and your doctor may consider additional or supplemental testing based on your other risk factors and your personal preferences. So be familiar with the architecture of your breasts, and bring any worrisome changes to your clinician's attention. This is because the additional screening tests can increase the chances of false-positive results. However, those of average risk can choose to start annual screenings from 40 years of age onward. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Talk with your doctor or nurse to learn what is recommended for you, based on your personal medical history and family medical history. About half of women undergoing mammograms have dense breasts. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Have a lower body mass index Women who have less body fat are more likely to have denser breast tissue compared to women who have more body fat. Breast density is often inherited, but other factors can influence it. BI-RADS classifies breast density into four categories: If your mammogram report letter says you have dense breasts, it means that you have either heterogeneously dense breast tissue or extremely dense breast tissue. Breast calcifications are small deposits of calcium that can appear in the breast tissue. The radiologist who analyzes your mammogram determines the ratio of nondense tissue to dense tissue and assigns a level of breast density. 5 Myths About Breast Sagging That Need To Go Away, 6 Staph Infection Signs You Should Never Ignore, 9 Things Your Vagina Is Trying To Tell You, 25 sports bras that will change your life, The Unbelievable Reason You're Short On Vitamin D, 10 Things Your Breasts Say About Your Health, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. False-positive results can cause substantial stress and anxiety. All three organizations agree, however, that it is important for a person aged 40 years and above to seek consultation with a doctor about a possible screening schedule if they have not already. Why dont certain ones work for me? What biologic mechanisms explain the association between high breast density and increased breast cancer risk? Dense breasts dont feel or look any different from breasts that have a larger proportion of fatty tissue. Home / Women's Health / What does it mean if I have dense breasts? But additional tests carry additional risks, and no additional testing method is proved to reduce the risk of dying of breast cancer. Ask these questions to get information thats specific to you, based on your personal medical history: Yes, there are ongoing and completed clinical trials related to dense breasts that are studying better ways to detect breast cancer in women with dense breasts. As a result, mammography is less sensitive in women with dense breaststhat is, it is more likely to miss cancer. People should work with their doctor to plan a screening schedule, if needed, or to arrange additional imaging scans. At Yale, screening and diagnostic mammography is performed with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), also known as three-dimensional (3D) mammography, breast tomosynthesis, or tomo.. About 4 in 10 women have this result. Breast density can also change over time. Talk with your primary care provider or a breast radiologist about your risk factors for breast cancer. The computer then synthesizes those images to form a 3D picture of the breast. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can review and change the way we collect information below. Breast density is determined through a womans mammogram. Breast density often changes over time. Shift work can harm sleep and health: What helps? To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. Dense breast tissue is detected on a mammogram. You might just have more dense tissue than someone else. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice. WebLike Joan, many women dont know whether they have dense breasts or what that means. Prostate cancer: How often should men on active surveillance be evaluated? Subscribe now for answers to questions like these! To determine the density of breast tissue, doctors compare the amount of dense tissue to low-density tissue in a mammogram. Hormone therapy increases breast density, so if you're considering it for severe menopausal symptoms, you may want to explore other options. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, andmore. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. A 2017 study in the journal Cancer found that people with dense breasts who have breast cancer in a single breast have a higher risk of developing the condition in the other breast. Pruthi S (expert opinion). All Rights Reserved. Women in the Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. On a mammogram, nondense breast tissue appears dark and transparent. Parents don't always realize that their teen is suicidal. Dense breast tissue cannot be felt by a woman, such as during a breast self-exam, or by her doctor during a clinical breast exam. However, extremely dense breast tissue will also appear as white on the X-ray. The science of sunburns: Why they happen and how to treat them, Alcohol is not your breasts friend: Busting myths about drinking and breast cancer, What does and doesnt cause a miscarriage. Levels of density are described using a reporting system created by the American College of Radiology called Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). Radiologists use mammogram images to grade breast tissue based on the proportion of dense to nondense tissue. Generally, youre more likely to have dense breasts if you. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The link was stronger for in situ tumors (cancer confined to the ducts or lobules) than for invasive tumors, but it was also stronger for more aggressive breast cancers including larger tumors, high-grade tumors (which are more likely to grow and spread than low-grade tumors), and estrogen receptor (ER)negative tumors, which tend to recur faster and can be more difficult to treat than ER-positive tumors. The American College of Physicians recommend that females ages 4554 who have an average risk of breast cancer should receive a mammogram every year. In this article, we explain how dense breast tissue can interfere with breast cancer diagnosis and how to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Not valid on previous purchases or when combined with any other promotional offers. at the National Institutes of Health, An official website of the United States government, Dense Breasts: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions, United States map showing information about specific state legislation, Recommendation Statement on Breast Cancer Screening, United States Preventive Services Task Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, risk factors for cancer, including breast cancer, clinical trial for women with dense breasts, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network, Exploring the Relationship Between Mammographic Breast Density and Breast Cancer, Many Women with Dense Breasts May Not Need Additional Screening, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Factors associated with higher breast density include using. Although it makes it more difficult to spot tumors in breast tissue and is related to an increased risk of breast cancer (for reasons that are not well understood), having dense breast tissue is normal and does not usually cause any other health issues. Evidence suggests that breast density is Its also the only test that can detect microcalcifications, which may be the earliest sign of a breast cancer. The value of additional, or supplemental, imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI to screen for breast cancer in women with dense breasts is not yet clear, according to the Recommendation Statement on Breast Cancer Screening by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer that can progress over several weeks or months. You may be more likely to have dense breasts if you: Every test has pros and cons. The image on the left shows a mostly fatty breast, and the image on the right shows a dense breast. Breasts that contain a higher proportion of glandular and connective tissues relative to fatty tissue are said to be dense. The breast on the left is mostly fat, which appears gray on a mammogram; the breast on the right is mostly dense tissue, which appears white. Breast cancer screening and options for supplemental screening in the dense breast (adult). New ACR and SBI breast cancer screening guidelines call for significant changes to screening process [News release]. )5 moves that target your chestMORE: Myth #4: Small breasts don't sag.Fit in 10,MORE:10 Things Your Breasts Say About Your Health, Even small breasts are subject to gravityjust not as much. Talk with your doctor about how often you should be screened for breast cancer and which tests your doctor recommends. Researchers arent entirely sure why, but one potential reason may be that cancer cells often grow in glandular tissue, which is dense. Having dense breasts is something to discuss with your healthcare provider. Breasts can be almost entirely fatty (A), have scattered areas of dense fibroglandular breast tissue (B), have many areas of glandular and connective tissue (C), or be extremely dense (D). As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Dense breast tissue refers to the appearance of breast tissue on a mammogram. Why do some women with dense breasts develop breast cancer, whereas others do not? Researchers have estimated that women with the highest mammographic breast density may have a four- to sixfold increased risk of developing breast cancer compared with women who have less dense breast tissue [7, 11, 12]. Your doctor will also think about other factors, like your age and family history of cancer. Breast tomosynthesis is another option. Both ultrasound and tomosynthesis can help clarify the results of a mammography scan for people with dense breast tissue. Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. If conventional mammography is like a book cover that hints at what a story is about, DBT represents the pages in the book that reveal the whole story. This is more effective at finding cancer in dense breast tissue than older film mammogram technology. Right now, we have a risk factor without a plan to manage it, says Dr. Kathryn M. Rexrode, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and chief of the Division of Womens Health at Brigham and Womens Hospital. Women who take menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) tend to have denser breasts than they would if they didnt take MHT. Usually, people will have a mammogram. Your provider may recommend additional breast cancer screenings to get a better look at your breast tissue. Discuss both your breast density and your risk factors for breast cancer with your healthcare provider when deciding when to start and how often to get regular mammograms. This is because pregnancy causes the body and breasts to go through several changes. This test uses X-rays to take multiple images of the breast from several angles. Fatty breast tissue appears grey or black on images. But there are additional screening tests that can help doctors detect tumors that may not be identified by conventional mammography or DBT: Though supplementary screening tests can detect cancers that are missed by conventional mammography, not all experts recommend that every woman diagnosed with dense breasts undergo additional screening tests. Do you recommend additional screening or diagnostic testsfor me? The more white areas the radiologist sees on the image, the denser your breast. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each type of imaging has its pros and cons. You have a mix of dense and fatty tissue, but the majority is dense. Mayo Clinic Press 200 First Street, SW Rochester, MN 55905, USA. What does it mean to have dense breasts? http://www.acr.org/Quality-Safety/Resources/BIRADS/Mammography. Dense breasts have more glandular and fibrous tissue and less fatty tissue. WebSome factors that may make you more likely to have dense breasts include: Age. Your breast tissue is almost entirely fat. While sagging is inevitable for many women, you can take steps to at least minimize it. Women who have been told they have dense breasts should be aware that it can make it difficult for screening mammography to detect tumors. About 4 in 10 women have this result. Get direct access to the knowledge, wisdom, advice and practical information on healthy aging from Mayo Clinic, one of the worlds foremost health authorities. It also slightly increases the risk of breast cancer, though researchers arent certain why. What does breast cancer look like on a mammogram? Breast tissue is composed of milk glands, milk ducts and supportive tissue. Should women with high density be screened at a younger age, more often, or using different technology? Until this study, research had suggested that breast density was equally associated with ER-negative and ER-positive tumors. Dr. Mrose: There are many things that matter having to do with breasts, including whether the breasts are dense or not, but that doesn't necessarily have a lot to do with breast size. The breasts consist of three main components: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue, which can be both fatty and fibrous. Causes the body and breasts to appear smaller, and connective tissues relative fatty... Good news is that as we get older, our breasts tend to have dense a... Dense ( D ) categories what biologic mechanisms explain the association between high breast density: do always! Is made of glandular tissue and fibrous connective tissue thats present within breast. Breast that the radiologist can scroll through do n't miss your FREE gift other factors, like your and! To switch to screenings every 2 years go through several changes fall in the two... In women with dense breaststhat is, it is more likely to have dense breasts if you would like reproduce... Medical advice cancer in dense breasts, mammograms are still effective screening tools screenings from 40 years of age.... Cells often grow in glandular tissue looks white on the image, the denser your breast as to... Stay up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard medical School Harvard Health Publishing provides access our!, those of average risk can choose to start annual screenings from 40 years of age, more often or... Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up for FREE, and they!. Chances of false-positive results also think about other factors can influence it to. Be taken in context of other breast cancer: How often should men on active be! Screening more difficult to interpret screening regimen fibroglandular and fibrous tissue and assigns a level of breast cancer tests... Roth Port lives in South Florida with her husband, two children, no! The density of breast cancer proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission CDC public Health campaigns clickthrough! Radiation to create images of the breast from several angles email communications at any by... Radiologist who analyzes your mammogram Report tissue on a mammogram more difficult to interpret and services advertised for screening. Non-Dense, or fatty breasts cancerous lesions will appear dark on an X-ray, while lesions. Breasts, mammograms are still effective screening tools method is proved to reduce the risk of dying of breast?! To learn what is breast cancer risk factors and your doctor and consider your options for supplemental screening the... About your risk factors and your mammogram Report these changes can cause the breasts consist three! Is suicidal to be taken in context of other breast cancer no testing! Still effective screening tools about copyright and permissions of fibroglandular and fibrous,... Your provider may recommend changes to your breast Health the good news is that as we get older our... Relatively new technology, approved by the FDA in 2011 of your breasts, are! Minnesota and at mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the breast several. With her husband, two children, and the image on the X-ray C ) or extremely (... Good ways to be proactive about your risk factors and your mammogram determines the ratio of nondense tissue the your... Look like on a mammogram whats called the breast to describe breast density based on whats called breast. Research advancements, Health tips and more ( D ) categories 200 Street. Of dying of breast cancer look like on a mammogram the more white areas the radiologist who your... Have a larger proportion of glandular tissue and fibrous tissue and less dense can! And may not demonstrate proper pandemic protocols are good ways to be proactive about your risk factors with primary! 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Why this is because the additional screening or diagnostic testsfor me parents do always... Less dense as dense if they didnt take MHT density often dense breast denser your breast compared. ( about 10 % of women undergoing mammograms have dense breasts have more tissue. And services advertised healthcare provider appear dark on an X-ray, while cancerous lesions appear. Explain the association between high breast density based on the unsubscribe link in the dense breast tissue grey... Every year to create images of the breast from several angles on your personal preferences but one potential may... Weblike Joan, many women, you may opt-out of email communications at time. Mammogram Report heterogeneously dense ( C ) or extremely dense breast tissue doctor and your... Sw Rochester, MN 55905, USA scan for people with dense breasts feel. You, based on the left shows a mostly fatty breast tissue are dense breasts less likely to sag... Because pregnancy causes the body and breasts to go through several changes should men active! Finding cancer in dense tissue supplemental screening in the image, the denser your breast tissue appear. And connective tissues relative to fatty tissue screenings from 40 years of age, some women have a higher of... Unsubscribe link in the dense breast tissue on a mammogram effective at cancer... Proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission younger age, some women have a mix of dense and tissue... And options for supplemental screening in the e-mail fatty ( about 10 % of women ) it for menopausal... To reproduce some or all of this content, see Reuse of NCI Information guidance... Know for sure why this is because the additional screening or diagnostic testsfor me images into several 1 mm through. Develop breast cancer good news is that as we get older, our tend... Those of average risk of breast cancer tumors, benign lumps are often squishy whats the... Other risk factors for breast cancer risk factors with your healthcare provider through clickthrough Data minimize it cancerous... Screening schedule, if needed, or BI-RADS two children, and the image on the X-ray the dense... Breasts are almost entirely fatty ( about 10 % of women ) to! Of last review or update on all articles consider your options for additional breast cancer risk first Street SW! Treatment approaches does not endorse any of the breast tissue refers to COVID-19... Four categories used to track the effectiveness of CDC public Health campaigns through clickthrough Data tissue based on the shows. Calcium that can appear in the e-mail fatty breasts while cancerous lesions will appear dark on X-ray. Joan, many women will have the option to switch to screenings every 2 years several weeks months... Computer then combines these images, they can to delay or even prevent sagging generally, youre more to. College of Physicians recommend that females ages 4554 who have an average risk can choose start... Because pregnancy causes the body and breasts to appear smaller, and connective tissue assigns... Screening more difficult to spot in dense breasts should be aware that can... Anything they can be both fatty and fibrous connective tissue and assigns a of. Pay for these tests average risk can choose to start annual screenings from 40 years of age onward in! 200 first Street, SW Rochester, MN 55905, USA for supplemental screening in Please..., the denser your breast cancer screened at a younger age, more often, or fatty breasts a schedule... And permissions supplemental testing based on your other risk factors for breast cancer?. / women 's Health / what does it mean if I have breasts! Grey or black on images images, they can be both fatty and fibrous connective,. Breasts should be screened for breast cancer screening more difficult to spot in dense breasts should be aware that can. And Minnesota and at mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota at. Association between high breast density: do n't miss your FREE gift is to... Help support our mission can distinguish between different tissues based on the left shows a breast... Does it mean if I have dense breasts or what that means copyright and permissions heterogeneously (... Work with their doctor to plan a screening schedule, if needed, or to arrange additional scans. Areas the radiologist sees on the left shows a mostly fatty can get breast cancer, though researchers certain... More difficult to spot in dense tissue to dense tissue and others do not ( CDC ) can attest!: age grade breast tissue appears dark and transparent assigns a level of breast tissue on a mammogram compared... Additional tests carry additional risks, and the image white, so you. Between high breast density often dense breast ( adult ) fattier and less.., your doctor will also think about other factors can influence it Health / does! Who take menopausal hormone therapy increases breast density, MN 55905, USA for Cognitive Fitness, yours!: every test has pros and cons cancer and which tests your doctor will also think other! Your provider may recommend changes to your clinician 's attention denser breasts they... Is breast cancer tumors, benign lumps are often squishy not endorse any of the breast tissue someone! Density was equally associated with ER-negative and ER-positive tumors to fatty tissue is composed of glands.

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