What is breast density?
Breast tissue is composed of milk glands, milk ducts and supportive tissue. These make up the dense tissue in the breast. Breasts also include fatty tissue, which is not dense tissue. On a mammogram, fatty tissue appears dark & transparent. Dense breast tissue appears as a solid white area. The ratio of dense breast tissue and non-dense breast tissue determines your density category – A, B, C, or D.
Breast Density Categories:
A – almost entirely fatty
B – scattered fibroglandular
C – heterogeneously dense
D – extremely dense
Why Do I need to know my breast density?YOU NEED TO KNOW YOUR BREAST DENSITY FOR TWO REASONS!
#1 – The more dense your breast, the higher your likelihood of developing breast cancer. 71% of breast cancers are in women with dense breasts. A woman with extremely dense breasts is 4-6 times more likely to develop breast cancer than a woman with very little breast density.[22]
#2 – The more dense your breasts, the less likely mammography alone will find your breast cancer.[21]
How Do I Find Out My Breast Density?IT ALL STARTS WITH A MAMMOGRAM.
The way to find out your breast density is to read your mammogram report. If you’ve had a recent mammogram, you are ready to Check Your Chart™.
If you are over 40 or you are overdue for your next mammogram, schedule it today! Then Check Your Chart™ on your online portal to find out your breast density.
What Do I Look For in My Mammogram Report?
Look for a recommendation for additional screening OR any discussion of breast density using the following words or letters:
- A – almost entirely fatty
- B – scattered fibroglandular
- C – heterogeneously dense
- D – extremely dense
If you are category C or D, or if you see recommendations for additional screening, collaborate with your doctor to get the additional screening you need.