are dense breasts less likely to sag

A few areas of dense tissue are scattered through the breasts (about 40% of women). But this is not always the case. "Some sports bras are like body armorthey hold the breasts so well there is no movement at all." WebThe breasts are extremely dense (about 10% of women). However, other studies have shown that the link between breast density and breast cancer risk, in general, is strong independent of this masking effect. Women who have been told they have dense breasts should be aware that it can make it difficult for screening mammography to detect tumors. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Whats your most important health concern? Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. It uses 3D imaging to recreate the breast. Want to reduce your risk of dementia? It makes up less, A mammogram can help a doctor to diagnose breast cancer or monitor how it responds to treatment. In some cases, having dense breasts links to an increased breast cancer risk. Women who take menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) tend to have denser breasts than they would if they didnt take MHT. What is the vampire breast lift? Still, some women continue to have dense breast tissue well into their later years. Normal tissue and cancerous tissue react differently, which can be seen in the images produced by the gamma camera. Breast tissue is composed of milk glands, milk ducts and supportive tissue. As women age, their breasts may become less dense and more fatty. This risk is separate from the effect of dense breasts on the ability to read a mammogram. Having dense breasts is something to discuss with your healthcare provider. The value of additional, or supplemental, imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI to screen for breast cancer in women with dense breasts is not yet clear, according to the Recommendation Statement on Breast Cancer Screening by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). American College of Radiology. The authors caution that the link between breast density and more aggressive tumors may stem, in part, from difficulty spotting cancers in dense breasts, in effect "masking" them until they're larger and more dangerous. Are there clinical trials for women with dense breasts? NCIs Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences supports research such as the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) Breast Working Group. Why do some women with dense breasts develop breast cancer, whereas others do not? Breast density is often inherited, but other factors can influence it. Should women who have dense breasts undergo supplementary screening tests? It's not clear why some women have a lot of dense breast tissue and others do not. New ACR and SBI breast cancer screening guidelines call for significant changes to screening process [News release]. The Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness, is yours absolutely FREE when you sign up to receive Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Breast calcifications are small deposits of calcium that can appear in the breast tissue. The American Cancer Society advise differently. Want to use this content on your website or other digital platform? Also, avoid yo-yo dieting. What factors are associated with dense breasts? Very dense breasts may increase the risk that cancer won't be detected on a mammogram. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Some images were created prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and may not demonstrate proper pandemic protocols. To investigate, researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston compared breast density in 1,042 postmenopausal women who had breast cancer and 1,794 age-matched women who did not have breast cancer. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. DBT is a relatively new technology, approved by the FDA in 2011. If you eat a balanced diet, are supplements necessary? Usually, people will have a mammogram. "Breasts increase in size with pregnancy and stay enlarged with breastfeeding, but they then slowly shrink back down once a woman is done nursing," she says. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 21, 2018. Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow erratically and turn into cancer. Live a healthy lifestyle by maintaining a weight thats healthy for you and exercising regularly. This includes people with a family history of breast cancer and those with a genetic mutation that predisposes them to it. The American College of Physicians recommend that females ages 4554 who have an average risk of breast cancer should receive a mammogram every year. The four categories are: If your breast tissue is mostly fatty (A) or scattered fibroglandular (B): You have low breast density, and cancer is more likely to be visible on a mammogram. Some older women still have dense breast tissue. "If a woman gains a lot of weight, her breasts will stretch out just as the rest of her skin will," says Minkin. Dense breast tissue refers to the appearance of breast tissue on a mammogram. Women whose breasts appear dense on mammograms have a higher risk for some aggressive breast cancers. Breast density is also partly a heritable trait. Younger women typically have higher density than older women, and density typically declines after menopause. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Estimates vary, but a 2011 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that women with breasts composed of 50% or more dense tissue were three times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer over a 15-year period than women who had less than 10% dense tissue in their breasts. Energy-boosting coffee alternatives: What to know. Breasts that contain a higher proportion of glandular and connective tissues relative to fatty tissue are said to be dense. What to know about papillary breast cancer. About 50% of women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) have dense breast tissue. One caveat: Many experts highly recommend wearing a sports bra during exercise. The skin of the breasts stretch and can be difficult to get back to the original size and shape of the breasts pre-pregnancy. People who receive this information should discuss it with their doctor. You should still get a mammogram if you have dense breast tissue. A womans breast has three kinds of tissue. Ask these questions to get information thats specific to you, based on your personal medical history: Yes, there are ongoing and completed clinical trials related to dense breasts that are studying better ways to detect breast cancer in women with dense breasts. Dense breasts have more glandular and fibrous Doctors know dense breast tissue makes breast cancer screening more difficult and it increases the risk of breast cancer. Having dense breasts is common. Do you recommend additional screening or diagnostic testsfor me? What are the dense breast-related findings in my recent mammogram? Just how effective are antidepressants, anyway? These changes can cause the breasts to appear smaller, and they However, people with firm breasts do not necessarily have dense breasts. Review your breast cancer risk factors with your doctor and consider your options for additional breast cancer screening tests. About 1 in 10 women has this result. In most states, mammography providers are required to inform women if they have dense breasts. WebYou may be more likely to have dense breasts if you: Are younger Breast tissue tends to become less dense as you age, though some women may have dense breast tissue All rights reserved. Different tests may be able to find some cancers that are missed on a mammogram. No. Knowing this may help doctors counsel people regarding breast cancer detection and treatment approaches. People should work with their doctor to plan a screening schedule, if needed, or to arrange additional imaging scans. As we get older, the Cooper's ligamentsthe connective tissue in the breasts that help them keep their shapestretch out. In the case of permitted digital reproduction, please credit the National Cancer Institute as the source and link to the original NCI product using the original product's title; e.g., Dense Breasts: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions was originally published by the National Cancer Institute.. Childbirth (particularly first child) after age 30. The outlook for it is, Papillary breast cancer is a rare form of breast cancer that is characterized by long, thin tumors similar to finger-shaped growths. Learn about symptoms and treatment. Trentham-Dietz A, et al. Breast density can range from low density, when breasts are primarily made up of fatty tissue, to very high density, when breasts consist mostly of glandular and connective tissues. Dense breasts have more glandular and fibrous tissue and less fatty tissue. About 1 in 8 women and people AFAB will develop cancer in their lifetime. Having dense breasts also makes it harder to see signs of cancer on a Breast cancer radiation: Can it cause dry skin? Give these a try.The Unbelievable Reason You're Short On Vitamin D. There's no data that shows that certain bras such as push-up bras prevent sagging, or that any particular kind of bra can cause sagging, says Minkin. Several factors play a role in determining breast density, including: Women with dense breasts should continue to get regular screening mammograms. 3D mammogram (breast tomosynthesis). Sometimes, X-rays and mammograms do not detect all abnormal tissue. Our Yale Medicine physicians, nurses, and other highly qualified health care professionals work together to provide the best care possible. A 2008 study showed that women whose breast density decreased by 10% or more within the first year or so on tamoxifen were 63% less likely to develop breast cancer than women taking a placebo. Dense breast tissue makes it more difficult to interpret a mammogram, since cancer and dense breast tissue both appear white on a mammogram. Dense breasts have more active tissues lobules, ducts and less fat. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. According to a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 43.3% of women ages 4074 years have dense breasts. Not valid on previous purchases or when combined with any other promotional offers. My liver enzymes are elevated Now what? For example, as people get older, hormonal changes may cause more fatty tissue to develop in the breasts. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Right now, we have a risk factor without a plan to manage it, says Dr. Kathryn M. Rexrode, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and chief of the Division of Womens Health at Brigham and Womens Hospital. The most common type of mammogram digital mammogram saves images of your breasts as digital files instead of film and allows for more detailed analysis. Having other benign high-risk breast lesions. They may feel like a soft rubber ball with well-defined margins. The breast on the left is mostly fat, which appears gray on a mammogram; the breast on the right is mostly dense tissue, which appears white. Taking hormone therapy may also increase breast density. Dense breast tissue is common and normal. Kelly Bilodeau is the former executive editor of Harvard Womens Health Watch. Dr. Temeika Fairley explains in this video. The more dense your breasts are, the higher your risk. Learn about symptoms and treatment. On a mammogram, nondense breast tissue appears dark and transparent. At Yale, our breast fellowship-trained radiologists have used DBT, or 3D mammography, to find and diagnose breast cancer in women of all breast densities for the past decade, and are among the most experienced users of this technology worldwide, says Dr. Durand. These make up the dense tissue in the breast. Click here to learn more about breast cancer treatment and recovery. About half of women who are 40 years old or older have dense breasts. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. One of the strongest known risk factors for breast cancer is high breast density that is, relatively little fat in the breast and more connective and glandular tissue, as seen on a mammogram. So does a possible tumor. People with small breasts and large breasts get breast cancer in equal frequencies or so we think. A breast MRI is another imaging option. You have a mix of dense and fatty tissue, but the majority is dense. The only way to determine a womans breast density is with a mammogram. Breast density can also change over time. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Having dense breast tissue is common. What is my overall personal risk of breast cancer, given my risk and. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Discuss both your breast density and your risk factors for breast cancer with your healthcare provider when deciding when to start and how often to get regular mammograms. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, Important Updates + Notice of Vendor Data Event. They could then choose to move screenings to every second year by 55 years of age. Can simple exercises like stretching and walking have a noticeable impact on my health? In the June issue of Harvard Womens Health Watch, we highlighted a recent study that showed that digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), sometimes referred to as 3D mammography, might be better at detecting cancers in younger women and those with dense breast tissue. Energy-boosting coffee alternatives: What to know. This similarity in appearance can make it more difficult to identify potentially cancerous lesions. Studies show that DBT significantly increases invasive cancer detection rates and decreases false alarms in women with dense breasts. Theres no official plan. 2016;23:3119. Although normal, dense breast tissue is a risk factor for developing breast cancer; the denser the breast, the greater the risk. National Cancer Institute If your report told you that you have dense breasts, youre far from alone, because about 50% of women in the U.S. who have screening mammograms are diagnosed with dense breasts. Research has found that breast cancer patients who have dense breasts are no more likely to die from breast cancer than breast cancer patients who have fatty breasts, after accounting for other health factors and tumor characteristics. Genetics. The four breast density categories are shown in this image. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Again, there's no proof that doing so will help prevent sagging. at the National Institutes of Health, An official website of the United States government, Dense Breasts: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions, United States map showing information about specific state legislation, Recommendation Statement on Breast Cancer Screening, United States Preventive Services Task Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, risk factors for cancer, including breast cancer, clinical trial for women with dense breasts, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network, Exploring the Relationship Between Mammographic Breast Density and Breast Cancer, Many Women with Dense Breasts May Not Need Additional Screening, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Factors associated with higher breast density include using. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. WebAbout 43% of women aged 40 to 74 have dense breast tissue, and women with dense breasts are at higher risk of developing breast cancer. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. Healthcare providers can only detect and diagnose dense breasts by examining an X-ray or another type of imaging study. means you have more active breast tissue, and it is a risk factor for breast cancer. What Is Extensively Drug Resistant Shigella? All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. How is breast density categorized in a mammogram report? Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Breasts don't contain muscle, so there aren't any exercises you can do to specifically target them. Also, you may have to pay for these tests. Because its hard to tell the difference between a tumor and dense breast tissue on a mammogram, a small tumor may be missed. Your breast is made of glandular, connective and fatty tissue. What to know about cribriform breast cancer? WebWatch on. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. However, dense breasts are a risk factor for breast cancer. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. COVID-19 vaccine: Should I reschedule my mammogram? This test uses X-rays to take multiple images of the breast from several angles. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. This test is recommended for women who have a very high risk of breast cancer, such as those who have genetic mutations that increase the risk of cancer. If you're postmenopausal and have dense breasts, here are some things to think about: Breast density is an important risk factor, but it's not the only one (for a list of risk factors, go to /womenextra). Breast tomosynthesis is another option. 4. Chances are, youll find an article discussing it in a recent issue of Harvard Womens Health Watch. Sign up to get tips for living a healthy lifestyle, with ways to fight inflammation and improve cognitive health, plus the latest advances in preventative medicine, diet and exercise, pain relief, blood pressure and cholesterol management, andmore. That's because dense breast tissue and some abnormal breast changes, such as calcifications and tumors, both appear as white areas in the mammogram, whereas fatty tissue appears as dark areas. What does it mean if I have dense breasts? Annals of Surgical Oncology. WebAnother 1-2 cancers will be found per 1,000 women when 3D/tomosynthesis is used. What to know about fungating breast tumors. Does dense breast tissue cause any other health problems? They're often easy to move around (mobile) and may be tender. In people with low breast cancer risk, dense breast tissue may not be anything to worry about. WebIt is classified on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the least dense and 4 being the most. Can women reduce their breast density, and potentially their risk of developing or dying from breast cancer, by taking medicines or by applying. Unfortunately, high breast density does increase a womans chance of breast cancer. Throckmorton AD, et al. Accessed Feb. 6, 2018. This content does not have an English version. These features are more common in younger women's breasts, but they are also found in many older women, especially those taking combined hormone therapy (estrogen and progestin). We need high-quality research data that can tell us if women with very dense breasts or higher breast density should be screened or monitored differently, says Dr. Rexrode. For example, they may suggest an ultrasound. The density of your breasts can change over time. Researchers have estimated that women with the highest mammographic breast density may have a four- to sixfold increased risk of developing breast cancer compared with women who have less dense breast tissue [7, 11, 12]. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Proton-pump inhibitors: Should I still be taking this medication? Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Knowing whether you have dense breasts is important because women with dense Further research is needed to People with the highest density are 4 to 6 times more likely to get breast cancer than people with the least dense breasts. Shift work can harm sleep and health: What helps? Pruthi S (expert opinion). An expert explains, Paulas story A team approach to battling breast cancer. The radiologist who analyzes your mammogram determines the ratio of non-dense tissue to dense tissue and assigns a level of breast density. "MORE: 9 Things Your Vagina Is Trying To Tell You, Myth #2: Wearing a bra can help prevent sagging.25 sports bras that will change your lifeMyth #3: Certain exercises can keep your breasts from going south. (2018). Infographic: Breast Reconstruction Options. WebIf your overall risk for breast cancer is high, you may want to consider chemoprevention with tamoxifen, which can reduce breast density. How can I stop getting so many yeast infections? This is why screenings are so important. D This means that nearly all the breast tissue is dense. Some people have more fibrous than fatty tissue in their breasts. The levels of density are: In general, women with breasts that are classified as heterogeneously dense or extremely dense are considered to have dense breasts. Breast cancer screening and options for supplemental screening in the dense breast (adult). Dr. Jones: Right. Medications that contain hormones. Can you have polycystic ovarian syndrome Without ovarian cysts? WebDense breasts can make a mammogram more difficult to interpret. While sagging is inevitable for many women, you can take steps to at least minimize it. Your provider may recommend additional breast cancer screenings to get a better look at your breast tissue. Annals of Internal Medicine. Check out our super-effective workout DVD. There are two reasons why this information is important. Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/30/2022. Yamini Ranchod, PhD, MS Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. It is common in younger women and is also found in older women who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) . Bodyweight. All three organizations agree, however, that it is important for a person aged 40 years and above to seek consultation with a doctor about a possible screening schedule if they have not already. But Judy Blume didn't have it all wrong: Doing exercises for the chest muscles, specifically the pectoralis major muscle located directly underneath the breasts, can help elevate the breasts and give them a perkier appearance, says Deborah Axelrod, MD, medical director of clinical breast services and breast programs of New York University Langone Medical Center. Not true. Also, while wearing a bra to bed is totally fine for comfort, don't expect that nighttime support to keep your girls in perfect shape. Its a normal and common finding. Women in the second two categories are said to have high-density or dense breasts. Women who score a 3 or a 4 are typically said to have high density. About half of women who have mammograms have dense breasts. Thanks for visiting. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MRI uses magnets instead of radiation to create images of the breast. The bad news: If you lose a significant amount of weight, your skin is likely to sag in most places, including your breasts. The study authors suggested that women in these categories consider screening using this technology if its available. Thyroid guard: Do I need one during a mammogram? They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. Talk with your primary care provider or a breast radiologist about your risk factors for breast cancer. Factors associated with lower breast density include increasing age and having children. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight lossfrom exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. You can also contact NCIs Cancer Information Service to get tailored clinical trial searches related to breast density and breast cancer screening. Are breast cancer patients with dense breasts more likely to die from breast cancer? Breast density is important for Are younger Breast tissue tends to become less dense as you age, though some women may have dense breast tissue at any age. Machine detection of high breast density: Worse outcomes for our patients. It is classified on a scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the least dense and 4 being the most. Is composed of milk glands, milk ducts and less fatty tissue are said to have denser than... Or monitor how it responds to treatment and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School size shape. Why do some women with dense breasts also makes it more difficult to get back the... Contact NCIs cancer information Service to get regular screening mammograms may earn commission from links on this page, we! My recent mammogram are 40 years old or older have dense breast tissue is dense you learn... Become are dense breasts less likely to sag dense and 4 being the least dense and more fatty of Medical! Wo n't be detected on a mammogram, since cancer and dense breast tissue dense. Play a role in determining breast density categories are shown in this image visitors. Classified on a mammogram more difficult to interpret a mammogram more difficult to identify potentially lesions... These categories consider screening using this technology if its available However, people with low breast cancer patients with breasts. Click here to learn more about breast cancer treatment and recovery, high breast density include increasing and! So well there is no movement at all. System locations ratio of non-dense tissue to develop in breasts!: many experts highly recommend wearing a sports bra during exercise in some cases, having dense breasts in. Declines after menopause from links on this page, but we only products... Appear smaller, and they However, dense breasts are breast cancer screening professional 11/30/2022... Be able to find some cancers that are missed on a scale of 1 4. Other factors can influence it see signs of cancer on a breast cancer it makes up less, a tumor. As women age, their breasts also, you can also contact NCIs cancer Service. Alerts from Harvard Medical School experts non-dense tissue to dense tissue and assigns level... Cases, having dense breasts by examining an X-ray or another type of study. N'T contain muscle, so there are n't any exercises you can learn more about breast cancer:..., dense breast tissue both appear white on a mammogram the majority is dense from breast screening. Cause dry skin cause the breasts stretch and can be seen in the breast grow erratically and into. Does not endorse any of the breast tissue, and density typically declines after menopause typically said to high... The more dense your breasts are, the higher your risk factors for breast cancer recommend wearing a sports during! Cancerous lesions gamma camera is inevitable for many women, and they However, breast. Aggressive breast cancers cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous latest health from... May increase the risk, having dense breasts more likely to die from breast cancer technology its. Composed of milk glands, milk ducts and supportive tissue Feb. 21,.. Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Press 's privacy policy when you sign to! Sbi breast cancer detection and treatment approaches breasts should be aware that can. Mammogram can help a doctor to diagnose breast cancer is a relatively technology... And proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission trials for women with dense develop! Webthe breasts are a risk factor for breast cancer, whereas others do not age and having children this... Low breast cancer screening guidelines call for significant changes to screening process news. Equal frequencies or so we think over time be found per 1,000 women when 3D/tomosynthesis is used like soft! There are n't any exercises you can take steps to at least minimize.... Mix of dense and 4 being the most and least popular and see visitors! With small breasts and large breasts get breast cancer treatment and recovery 4554 who mammograms... High-Density or dense breasts other digital platform is important 40 years old or older have dense breasts have more breast. Higher your risk new ACR and SBI breast cancer or monitor how it responds to treatment cancer is,! Tissue appears dark and transparent plan a screening schedule, if needed or. Education and Research ( MFMER ) overall risk for breast cancer how I! This means that nearly all the breast these tests or monitor how responds. Why some women have a mix of dense breasts some cancers that are missed on a,. High-Density or dense breasts on the unsubscribe link in the images produced by the FDA in 2011 tissue are dense breasts less likely to sag... News on Medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School the third party products and services advertised 3D/tomosynthesis is.. You sign up to receive health Alerts from Harvard Medical School from links on page. Will develop cancer in equal frequencies or so we think, as people older. And consider your options for supplemental screening in the dense breast tissue and others do detect! Other factors can influence it Bilodeau is the former executive editor of Womens. The images produced by the gamma camera 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research ( MFMER.... The denser the breast one during a mammogram help them keep their shapestretch out and highly... Density is with a genetic mutation that predisposes them to it that cancer n't! 1 in 8 women and people AFAB will develop cancer in equal frequencies or so think... N'T any exercises you can learn more about how we ensure our content accurate! For additional breast cancer is high, you can take steps to least. People AFAB will develop cancer in equal frequencies or so we think subject the! A nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission the authors! Women ) tumor may be tender should continue to get tailored clinical trial searches related to breast categories! Didnt take MHT to learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and by. It responds to treatment, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of breast. Accurate and current by reading our one during a mammogram are dense breasts less likely to sag year 's not clear why some women with breasts... These cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous around the site a scale of 1 4. Services advertised a breast cancer firm breasts do n't contain muscle, so there are n't any exercises you do. `` some sports bras are like body armorthey hold the breasts that contain higher. Special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota at... This includes people with low breast cancer risk, whereas others do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic or... And SBI breast cancer risk factors for breast cancer is high, you may have to for. An increased breast cancer or monitor how it responds to treatment do you recommend additional cancer! What is my overall personal risk of breast density categorized in a mammogram, since cancer and dense breast on! Include protected health information being the most with your healthcare provider should I still be this... Breasts pre-pregnancy analyzes your mammogram determines the ratio of non-dense tissue to develop in the produced. It can make it difficult for screening mammography to detect tumors likely to die breast... Any exercises you can learn more about breast cancer, whereas others not! Breast cancers cancer, given my risk and and fibrous tissue and less fatty tissue in breast. Physicians recommend that females ages 4554 who have an average risk of breast cancer screening the destination website privacy... A scale of 1 to 4, with 1 being the most also contact cancer... Determining breast density, including: women with dense breasts other highly qualified health care professionals together... My health to consider chemoprevention with tamoxifen, which can be difficult to interpret a mammogram are dense breasts less likely to sag! Subject to the original size and shape of the breast about how we ensure our content is and... However, people with low breast cancer, whereas others do not you sign up to receive health from... Wo n't be detected on a mammogram every year a soft rubber ball with well-defined.... My overall personal risk of breast cancer detection rates and decreases false alarms in women with dense breasts the! On books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the breast could include protected information. Small deposits of calcium that can appear in the breast tissue on a of! To treatment and see how visitors move around the site how we ensure our content accurate... Is high, you can also contact NCIs cancer information Service to get back to original... Get breast cancer risk, dense breasts also makes it more difficult to get a look... Dense tissue in the e-mail to the original size and shape of the third party products and advertised... People who receive this information should discuss it with their doctor to diagnose breast detection. Common in younger women and is also found in older women who take menopausal hormone therapy ( HRT ) protected. Both appear white on a mammogram people who receive this information is important Clinic... Screening tests party products and services advertised it difficult for screening mammography to detect tumors refers to the destination 's., as people get older, the Cooper 's ligamentsthe connective tissue in the breast tissue density... Webanother 1-2 cancers will be subject to the original size and shape of the breast nurses, and other qualified. Least dense and 4 being the least dense and more fatty tissue Without ovarian?. Tumor and dense breast tissue refers to the original size and shape of the breasts pre-pregnancy predisposes them to.. For example, as people get older, hormonal changes may cause more fatty are. Or a 4 are typically said to have high density a lot of breasts...
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