October 19, 2018 at 4:31 p.m.
Breast cancer awareness: Why breast density matters
Breast cancer awareness: Why breast density matters
According to the American College of Radiology, dense breast tissue is found in almost 40 percent of women and is a completely normal finding. Breasts are made up of a mixture of fibrous and glandular tissue and fatty tissue. Breasts are considered dense if there is a lot of fibrous or glandular tissue but not much fat.
"Dense breast tissue makes it harder for radiologists to detect cancer," Ascension Medical Group radiologist Dr. Steven Brown, M.D. said in a press release. "On mammograms, dense breast tissue looks white, and potentially cancerous masses also look white - so the density can hide the tumors, making it more challenging to find cancer."
If your mammogram shows that you have dense breast tissue, Brown says it's important to talk to your primary care clinician to determine the best screening options for you based on your family history and other risk factors.
In addition to mammography, additional screening options may include breast ultrasound and breast magnetic resonance imaging.
In 2017, Wisconsin Act 201 was passed and went into effect on April 3, 2018. This law requires health care providers in the state that perform mammography screenings to send notice to any patient identified with dense breast tissue.
"This effort has raised awareness of mammography results and increased the opportunity for discussion about the best screening options and risk factors between women and their primary care clinician," said Brown.
Ascension facilities offer many convenient options for mammography screening. For more information or to schedule an appointment online visit Ascension.org/NCWIMamo.
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