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Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Get the Compare Your Your Quiz Your Summary Dense breast tissue is made up of thick fibrous tissue and milk glands. Most women have breasts with a mix of dense tissue and fatty tissue. Some women have very dense or very fatty breasts. All of these breast types are normal. There are four levels of breast density: You can't tell how dense your breasts are by looking in the mirror or feeling them. The mammogram report sent to your doctor tells how dense your breasts are. It's written by the radiologist who reads your mammogram. Having dense breasts may affect your plans for breast cancer screening. The more dense a breast is, the harder it is to see cancer on a mammogram image. That's because dense tissue looks white onscreen, just like cancer does. Breast cancer tends to grow in dense breast tissue more often than in fatty breast tissue. So having dense breasts may slightly increase your risk for breast cancer. Having dense breasts may slightly increase your risk for breast cancer. But your risk for breast cancer depends on many things. Sometimes women think that their breast cancer risk is higher than it really is. If you don't know how high your risk actually is, talk to your doctor to find out. If there's a high risk of breast cancer in your family, talk to your doctor about getting genetic testing and genetic counseling. To learn more about your risk level, go to www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool. There are several breast cancer screening tests. Each type of test shows breast tissue differently and finds things that the others don't. Digital breast tomosynthesis, sometimes called DBT or 3-D mammogram, is a test that uses new technology. It may be used alone or with a digital mammogram. DBT seems to work better than mammogram alone to find cancer in dense breast tissue. But it is still being studied to see how well it works. No screening test is perfect. Each carries the risk of doing too little or too much. Different breast imaging tests can detect cancer in different ways. No single test can find every cancer. If you have dense breasts but no other risk factors for breast cancer, a mammogram is the recommended test. There isn't enough evidence from studies to show that having other tests will help you.footnote 1 If you have dense breasts and other risk factors for breast cancer, talk with your doctor to decide about screening. In some cases, if further screening is needed, a breast ultrasound or MRI may be done. Team up with your doctor to decide what makes the most sense for you. Compare What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. When my sister got cancer, we learned that she and I both have the BRCA1 gene. That means that I have a high risk of getting breast cancer—bad breast cancer—like my sister and other women in our family have. It makes my dense breasts seem like nothing, especially since I get a mammogram and an MRI every year, anyway. I had a biopsy after one screening, which got me absolutely terrified. But so far, there's no cancer. Shawna, age 47 When I learned from my mammogram results that I have dense breasts, I freaked out. I thought, "That's it. I'm going to get cancer." See, I'm one of those people who expects the worst. But thanks to my doctor, I've settled down on this one. My breasts aren't that dense, and the radiologist had no trouble seeing everything she needed to on the mammogram. If there's any trouble with reading my next mammogram, they'll just do an ultrasound afterward. Hopefully, it'll be that easy. Joelle, age 44 A couple of years ago, I had a biopsy that shows a kind of cell change that could lead to cancer. Until I learned I have dense breasts, I figured that a mammogram every year was all I needed to keep an eye on it. My doctor and I read over my past mammogram reports and decided that I can have a breast ultrasound with my next mammogram and see if that gives a clear enough picture. If not, we'll go from there and talk about whether I need another test. Lisa, age 65 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have a mammogram only Reasons to have a mammogram plus other testing I'm not too worried about breast cancer. I do have dense breasts, but my doctor says I don't have any important risk factors. I have a mother, sister, or daughter who's had breast cancer, so my cancer risk is high. My radiology report says that my breasts only have scattered areas of dense tissue, so I think a mammogram can do the job. My radiology report says that my breasts are very dense, so I'm worried. I feel like getting mammograms and doing self-exams of my breasts are enough screening for me. I want as much breast cancer screening as I can have, even if it means getting some false-positives. I'm concerned about the cost of the screening tests. I'm not concerned about the cost of testing. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having a mammogram only Having a mammogram plus other screening testing Check the facts Decide what's next Certainty 1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Dense breast tissue is made up of thick fibrous tissue and milk glands. Most women have breasts with a mix of dense tissue and fatty tissue. Some women have very dense or very fatty breasts. All of these breast types are normal. There are four levels of breast density: You can't tell how dense your breasts are by looking in the mirror or feeling them. The mammogram report sent to your doctor tells how dense your breasts are. It's written by the radiologist who reads your mammogram. Having dense breasts may affect your plans for breast cancer screening. The more dense a breast is, the harder it is to see cancer on a mammogram image. That's because dense tissue looks white onscreen, just like cancer does. Breast cancer tends to grow in dense breast tissue more often than in fatty breast tissue. So having dense breasts may slightly increase your risk for breast cancer. Having dense breasts may slightly increase your risk for breast cancer. But your risk for breast cancer depends on many things. Sometimes women think that their breast cancer risk is higher than it really is. If you don't know how high your risk actually is, talk to your doctor to find out. If there's a high risk of breast cancer in your family, talk to your doctor about getting genetic testing and genetic counseling. To learn more about your risk level, go to www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool. There are several breast cancer screening tests. Each type of test shows breast tissue differently and finds things that the others don't. Digital breast tomosynthesis, sometimes called DBT or 3-D mammogram, is a test that uses new technology. It may be used alone or with a digital mammogram. DBT seems to work better than mammogram alone to find cancer in dense breast tissue. But it is still being studied to see how well it works. No screening test is perfect. Each carries the risk of doing too little or too much. Different breast imaging tests can detect cancer in different ways. No single test can find every cancer. If you have dense breasts but no other risk factors for breast cancer, a mammogram is the recommended test. There isn't enough evidence from studies to show that having other tests will help you.1 If you have dense breasts and other risk factors for breast cancer, talk with your doctor to decide about screening. In some cases, if further screening is needed, a breast ultrasound or MRI may be done. Team up with your doctor to decide what makes the most sense for you. These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "When my sister got cancer, we learned that she and I both have the BRCA1 gene. That means that I have a high risk of getting breast cancer—bad breast cancer—like my sister and other women in our family have. It makes my dense breasts seem like nothing, especially since I get a mammogram and an MRI every year, anyway. I had a biopsy after one screening, which got me absolutely terrified. But so far, there's no cancer." — Shawna, age 47 "When I learned from my mammogram results that I have dense breasts, I freaked out. I thought, "That's it. I'm going to get cancer." See, I'm one of those people who expects the worst. But thanks to my doctor, I've settled down on this one. My breasts aren't that dense, and the radiologist had no trouble seeing everything she needed to on the mammogram. If there's any trouble with reading my next mammogram, they'll just do an ultrasound afterward. Hopefully, it'll be that easy." — Joelle, age 44 "A couple of years ago, I had a biopsy that shows a kind of cell change that could lead to cancer. Until I learned I have dense breasts, I figured that a mammogram every year was all I needed to keep an eye on it. My doctor and I read over my past mammogram reports and decided that I can have a breast ultrasound with my next mammogram and see if that gives a clear enough picture. If not, we'll go from there and talk about whether I need another test." — Lisa, age 65 Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to have a mammogram only Reasons to have a mammogram plus other testing I'm not too worried about breast cancer. I do have dense breasts, but my doctor says I don't have any important risk factors. I have a mother, sister, or daughter who's had breast cancer, so my cancer risk is high. My radiology report says that my breasts only have scattered areas of dense tissue, so I think a mammogram can do the job. My radiology report says that my breasts are very dense, so I'm worried. I feel like getting mammograms and doing self-exams of my breasts are enough screening for me. I want as much breast cancer screening as I can have, even if it means getting some false-positives. I'm concerned about the cost of the screening tests. I'm not concerned about the cost of testing. My other important reasons: My other important reasons: Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Having a mammogram only Having a mammogram plus other screening testing 1.
Having dense breasts makes me high-risk for breast cancer. 2.
A mammogram is a good test for finding breast cancer if I have dense breasts. 3.
The more dense my breasts are, the more testing I need to screen for breast cancer. 4.
An MRI is the best way for to screen women for breast cancer. 1.
Do you understand the options available to you? 2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? 3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? 1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision? 2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision. Current as of: October 25, 2023 Author: Healthwise Staff Clinical Review BoardBreast Cancer Screening and Dense Breasts: What Are My Options?
Breast Cancer Screening and Dense Breasts: What Are My Options?
1
Facts2
Options3
Feelings4
Decision5
Yourself6
Get the facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What are dense breasts?
Why do I need to know about dense breasts?
What about my breast cancer risk?
What tests are commonly used to screen dense breasts for breast cancer?
What are the risks of getting less testing versus the risks of getting more testing?
What are the benefits of getting less testing versus the benefits of getting more testing?
What might a doctor recommend?
Compare your options
Personal stories about considering how to screen dense breasts for cancer
What matters most to you?
Where are you leaning now?
What else do you need to make your decision?
Your Summary
Your decision
Next steps
Which way you're leaning
How sure you are
Your comments
Your knowledge of the facts
Key concepts that you understood
Key concepts that may need review
Getting ready to act
Patient choices
Credits and References
Author Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.Breast Cancer Screening and Dense Breasts: What Are My Options?
1. Get the Facts
Your options
Key points to remember
What are dense breasts?
Why do I need to know about dense breasts?
What about my breast cancer risk?
What tests are commonly used to screen dense breasts for breast cancer?
What are the risks of getting less testing versus the risks of getting more testing?
What are the benefits of getting less testing versus the benefits of getting more testing?
What might a doctor recommend?
2. Compare your options
Get a mammogram only Get an MRI or ultrasound with your mammogram What is usually involved? What are the benefits? What are the risks and side effects? Personal stories
Personal stories about considering how to screen dense breasts for cancer
3. What matters most to you?
4. Where are you leaning now?
5. What else do you need to make your decision?
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
By Healthwise Staff Clinical Review Board Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.