Breasts are made of fat and glands that make milk (glandular tissue), held together by fibrous tissue. The more glands and fibrous tissue compared to fatty tissue that a woman has, the "denser" her breast tissue. Density may decrease with age, but for most women, there is little change over time.
How do I know if I have dense breasts?
Breast density can be determined by the radiologist or computer software and can change year-to-year. There are four categories of mammographic density with categories A and B being "not dense" and categories C and D being "dense".
Why is breast density important?
If I have dense breasts, do I still need a mammogram?
Yes. A mammogram is the only medical imaging screening test proven to reduce breast cancer deaths. Many cancers are seen on mammograms even if you have dense breast tissue.
What should I do if I have dense breasts?
Please talk to your doctor about additional screening examinations (please see supplemental screening section below).
References:
DenseBreast-Info.org
Breast Density Facts - ACR.org
Talk to your provider regarding your breast cancer risk and whether additional imaging tests can be beneficial.
The Family Risk Assessment Program (FRAP) is designed to assist individuals with a personal or family history of cancer to understand how hereditary factors may contribute to cancer risk and how that risk can be reduced and/or managed.