TOLL FREE: 1-866-611-2665

WHAT ARE DENSE BREASTS?

One of the risk factors for breast cancer is dense breast tissue. In fact, the Canadian Cancer Society states that the cancer risk for women with dense breast tissue in 75 percent or more of their breasts increases by four to six times, compared to women with little or no dense breast tissue.

At Mayfair Diagnostics all of our mammography machines are equipped with software that classifies breast density, which is included in reports to referring doctors.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE DENSE BREASTS?

You can’t tell by looking at them, whether or not you have dense breasts. It is a clinical diagnosis that can only be assessed by mammography. Dense breasts have less fat and more glandular and connective tissue. Unfortunately, they also make a mammogram harder to read, so smaller cancers may be hidden. Plus, the denser the breast tissue, the higher the risk of breast cancer.

On a mammogram, fatty tissue looks dark, while both dense tissue and tumours look white, making it hard to distinguish between the two. The white-looking breast cancers are easier to see on a mammogram when they’re surrounded by dark-looking fatty tissue.

Dense breasts are normal. Your breast tissue changes as you age, usually becoming less dense as you get older and go through menopause, but some women continue to have dense breast regardless of age. Dense breasts may be affected by taking hormone replacement therapy.

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE YOUR BREAST DENSITY?

To determine your breast density, you will need to discuss scheduling a mammogram and a review of the results with your health care provider.

The Breast Imaging Reporting and Database Systems, or BI-RADS, classifies breast density into four groups:

A – Almost entirely fatty: There is almost no dense tissue, which makes abnormalities easy to detect. About 10% of women are in this category.

B- Scattered fibroglandular densities: Scattered areas of density, but the majority of tissue is fatty. About 40% of women are in this category.

C – Heterogeneously dense: More than half the breast is dense tissue. About 40% of women are in this category.

D – Extremely dense: Nearly all of the tissue is dense. About 10% of women are in this category. This may make it hard to see a cancer on a mammogram because the cancer can blend in with the normal tissue.

While scoring is not an exact science and radiologists often disagree about levels of density, it is important to get screened. Mayfair uses the Volpara Health Technologies program which scores density from A to D and we will explain your breast score at the end of your appointment.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE DENSE BREASTS?

When an assessment determines that breast density is high, the radiologist may suggest annual mammography exams, using 3D mammography (tomosynthesis). In addition, the radiologist may suggest the use of handheld or automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) in conjunction with your regular screening mammogram.

Tomosynthesis views the breast in slices and provides a greater level of detail, while ABUS increases the sensitivity of the scan. The 2013 Toward Optimized Practice Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines suggest that ultrasound “may have a role as an adjunct to mammography screening in women with dense breasts, as determined by a radiologist.” You will need to discuss your results and next steps with your health care provider.

Mayfair offers Tomosynthesis at all of our mammography locations,  and ABUS locations can be viewed here.


REFERENCES

Auntminnie.com article “ABUS shown to improve cancer detection in women with dense breasts

Breastcancer.org – Risk Factors: Dense Breasts

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – Know Your Risk: Breast Density

Canadian Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/breast/risks/?region=bc#dense_breast

Public Health Agency of Canada. (2009) Information on Mammography for Women Aged 40 and Older: A Decision Aid for Breast Cancer Screening in Canada. Chronic Disease Management Division, Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control.

Toward Optimized Practice. (2013) Breast Cancer Screening Clinical Practice Guidelines. September:

White, J. (2000) “Breast Density and Cancer Risk: What is the Relationship?” Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 92 (6): 443

Related Articles

Mayfair Diagnostics

Calgary, Cochrane

TOLL FREE: 1-866-611-2665

RELATED SERVICES

SHARE THIS ARTICLE