Did you know your breast density can impact your risk for breast cancer?
What is Breast Density?
Your breast density refers to the amount of dense tissue compared to fatty tissue in your breast. There are four categories of breast density, with category 1 being the lowest density and category 4 being the highest density.
- Category 1: Almost entirely fatty tissue
- Category 2: Scattered dense tissue within mostly fatty tissue
- Category 3: Heterogeneous distribution of dense tissue with some fatty tissue
- Category 4: Extremely dense tissue with very little fatty tissue
A study in the National Library of Medicine found that 80% of women fall into categories 2 and 3, whereas 10% of women are found in categories 1 and 4.
According to Dr. Cecilia Cuntz, a breast surgeon at Woman’s Hospital who specializes in high-risk breast cancer, younger people and those with thinner body types are more likely to have dense breasts. Genetics also plays an important role.
How does Breast Density Relate to Breast Cancer?
Having dense breast tissue has a risk level similar to having a first-degree relative with a history of breast cancer. According to Dr. Cuntz, women with heterogeneously dense breasts (Category 3) have about a 12% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, while those with extremely dense breasts (Category 4) have about a 20% risk.
Mammograms are the only imaging method attributed to reducing breast cancer mortality. However, dense breast tissue makes it harder to detect cancer on a mammogram because it can overlap with masses or lumps. “Where you go to get your mammogram matters,” says Dr. Cuntz. “Radiologists who are more experienced in reading mammograms are more apt to find abnormalities.”
To improve cancer detection, Woman’s uses 3D mammography, which creates images from multiple angles and makes masses easier to see. Woman’s reports the patient’s breast density at the top of each mammogram report to help patients understand their risk level and “know what the odds of something hiding in their dense breast tissue are,” says Breast Surgical Oncologist Dr. Lindsey Fauveau.
Dr. Ashley Grindol, a radiologist who reads mammogram scans at Woman’s, stresses the importance of keeping up with annual screenings so that subtle changes can be detected early. She says that radiologists might not see something the first time around. However, they can catch cancers at an early stage by comparing the scans to previous years. The earlier they catch the cancer, the more effectively they are able to treat it.
Dr. Fauveau also believes consistency is key. She recommends going to the same facility and using the same machines for a routine mammogram. This practice helps ensure that the quality of the imaging remains the same.
Most women should begin yearly mammograms at age 40. However, those with a higher risk, such as a family history of breast cancer before age 40, can be eligible to begin mammograms at an earlier age.
If you have any questions or notice any abnormal pain or lumps in your breast, contact your OBGYN.