What You Need to Know About Breast Density and Mammograms

Starting this week, women in the U.S. will be informed about their breast density after a mammogram. Here’s a simple guide to understand what this means for you.

What is Breast Density?

• Definition: Breast density refers to the amount of fibroglandular tissue (dense tissue) compared to fatty tissue in the breast. Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram, which can make it harder to spot cancer.
• Density Categories:
  • Mostly Fatty: Easier to detect cancer.
  • Scattered Fibroglandular Density: Common, but may obscure some cancers.
  • Heterogeneously Dense: Can hide up to 25% of cancers.
  • Extremely Dense: Can hide up to 40% of cancers and increases breast cancer risk significantly.

New FDA Rule

• Starting Date: The new rule goes into effect this Tuesday.
• Requirement: All mammogram reports must now include information about breast density.
• Purpose: This aims to help women understand their breast density and its impact on mammogram accuracy.

Why Breast Density Matters

• Detection Difficulty: Dense tissue and cancer both appear white on a mammogram, which can make cancer harder to detect.
• Increased Risk: Women with dense breasts have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Next Steps for Women with Dense Breasts

• Consult Your Doctor: Discuss your breast density with your healthcare provider to understand your individual risk and to explore additional imaging options if needed.
• Additional Imaging: Women with dense breasts may benefit from other types of imaging, such as ultrasounds or MRIs, in addition to mammograms.

Personal Story

• JoAnn Pushkin’s Experience: After finding a lump but having a normal mammogram, Pushkin learned she had dense breasts, which made it harder to detect her cancer. She advocates for breast density notifications to improve early detection.

National Standards

• Current Status: About 39 states and the District of Columbia already require some level of breast density reporting.
• New Rule Impact: The new FDA rule will standardize breast density notifications nationwide, ensuring all women receive this important information.

Expert Opinions

• Dr. Wendie Berg: Supports the new rule for providing uniform information about breast density to all women.
• Molly Guthrie: Emphasizes the importance of informed discussions with healthcare providers about the need for additional imaging based on breast density.

Access and Equity

• American Cancer Society: Applauds the new rule but stresses the need for continued efforts to ensure all women have access to high-quality mammograms, especially addressing disparities in screening quality among different racial groups.

Conclusion

The new FDA rule requiring breast density notifications is a positive step towards improving breast cancer detection and awareness. Women should use this information to discuss their screening options with their healthcare providers.