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2 0 2 3 G O O D H E A L T H
HEALTH FOCUS
Additional screening sometimes needed for women with dense breast tissue
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or many years , increased emphasis is placed on the importance of mammograms , for women 40 and over , to aid in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer .
Mammograms , according to the CDC , are the single most effective tool for diagnosing breast cancer .
For women with dense breast tissue , however , detection can sometimes prove more difficult .
Dr . Nanditha George , MD , breast radiologist at the ARH Medical Mall in Hazard , Ky ., explains breast composition .
“ There are four descriptors of breast density : almost entirely fatty , scattered areas of fibroglandular density , heterogeneously dense and extremely dense .”
Women with the latter two densities are classified as having dense breasts , which Dr . George says is a normal and common finding .
She says 10 percent of women have almost entirely fatty breasts ; 40 percent have scattered areas of fibroglandular density ; another 40 percent have heterogeneously dense breasts ; and 10 percent have extremely dense breasts . That matters , she says , because fatty breasts appear dark and mostly transparent , whereas glandular and connective tissue – the components of dense breasts – are white and solid .
“ It makes screening more difficult
NANDITHA GEORGE , MD Breast Radiologist at ARH Medical Mall in Hazard
because it can mask cancer , which also appears white ,” she explains .
Additionally , Dr . George says , women with dense breasts are at a greater risk for developing breast cancer .
“ It ’ s known to increase the risk , but we aren ’ t certain why ,” she says .
What is known , however , is although the risk is greater and the detection is more difficult , mammograms , followed sometimes by additional testing , are effective at identifying cancer even in women with dense breasts .
“ It can still be detected ,” Dr . George says , adding mammograms are the only screening tool proven to reduce mortality caused by breast cancer . “ Mammograms have reduced breast cancer deaths by 40 percent since the 1990s ,” she says . “ The goal is to reduce death rates through early screening , which helps us treat the cancer earlier .”
Dr . George recommends annual screening for all women , beginning at the age of 40 , but adds women at high risk may benefit from earlier screening . “ You should speak to your family doctor about your risk and to determine at what age to begin screening ,” she says .
“ And at the same time , it ’ s important to do self-breast exams at least once a month ,” she continues . “ If you know your breasts , you ’ ll notice changes and other symptoms and you can flag those .”
Although the risk is greater and the detection is more difficult , mammograms , followed sometimes by additional testing , are effective at identifying cancer even in women with dense breasts .