Andrew M. Obstet Gynecol Apr. In women who have dense breast tissue, risk for breast cancer is modestly elevated and sensitivity of mammography screening is reduced. Recently, many states have passed legislation requiring clinicians to inform women on mammogram reports that they have dense breasts.
My breasts are dense? What does this mean and should I care?
Committee Opinion No. Management of Women With Dense Breasts Diagnosed by Mammography - PubMed
Read terms. This document reflects emerging clinical and scientific advances as of the date issued and is subject to change. The information should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of treatment or procedure to be followed. ABSTRACT: Women with dense breasts have a modestly increased risk of breast cancer and experience reduced sensitivity of mammography to detect breast cancer.
Committee Opinion No. 625: Management of Women With Dense Breasts Diagnosed by Mammography
Glandular and connective tissue absorb more radiation and show up white, whereas fatty tissue is dark. The ratio of white to dark determines breast density. For consistency, a scale of was created the BiRADS scale to describe the density of breasts on mammo gram reports.
Women with dense breasts have a modestly increased risk of breast cancer and experience reduced sensitivity of mammography to detect breast cancer. However, evidence is lacking to advocate for additional testing until there are clinically validated data that indicate improved screening outcomes. Currently, screening mammography remains the most useful tool for breast cancer detection and consistently has demonstrated a reduction in breast cancer mortality.