How dense are your breasts? And what does the FDA have to say?
This is not new news actually. California passed a breast density law in 2015. See my blog HERE.
Why do we care? The denser your breast:
- The higher the risk of breast cancer. More density = more breast tissue = higher risk
- There are levels of density, A-D, with D being 10% of the population and very dense
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- Class A/1 : Fatty breast
- Class B/2: Scattered fibrous/glandular tissue
- Class C /3: Heterogeneously dense- this is a marbled mix of tissue, with fat mixed with breast tissue
- Class D/4: Extremely dense – this is denser thicker breast tissue
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- MAMMOGRAMS CANNOT SEE WELL THROUGH DENSE TISSUE. So if your breasts are dense, you need another study like an ultrasound or MRI to truly evaluate your breast. If not, a cancer could be “hiding” within the dense tissue.
This rule pertains to the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992, a law trying to make sure mammography quality was high. This group oversees mammogram facilities.
They discuss how 50% of women over the age of 40 have dense breasts.
My thoughts?
Not new news. My frustration with these laws is that it states patients should be notified of their breast density, but it doesn’t do anything to make insurance companies have to pay for those additional tests. I recently saw a patient who is a patient in a healthcare system HMO. She was told she has dense breasts. She said, “I want an ultrasound.” And they wouldn’t do it.
I wish this law came with a clear action items. If your breasts are X dense, you need to have a MRI or ultrasound within X timeframe.
If you have dense breasts, know you ARE at higher risk for breast cancer. You DO need additional imaging like an ultrasound or MRI to “see” through the dense tissue. Early detection is key with breast cancers.