Dense breast tissue is one of the known risk factors for breast cancer. Higher density does not just enhance the risk of cancer, but is also makes it tougher to be able to detect cancer using a mammogram. In case you are diagnosed with breast tissue then you may need to apply additional tools to detect breast cancer. Along with additional screening, additional testing may also be necessary. In case you are diagnosed with dense breast tissue then you need to discuss your personal risks with your doctor.
There are two different cases which need to be ascertained before you decide the steps you need to take, once you have been diagnosed with breast tissue. Has your healthcare provider told you that you are at high risk of cancer due to family history, disease causing mutation or too much radiation to the chest before the age of 30 years.
In case you have been told that you are at high risk:
You should opt for yearly screening with contrast enhanced MRI starting at the age of 25-30. You should also include screening with the help of mammography. In case you are at high risk and MRI is not advisable, at the same time, you have dense breasts, then you should consider to include screening ultrasound along with the yearly mammography.
It is recommended that you do not opt for contrast enhanced MRI if you are pregnant, having a pacemaker, having reduced kidney functions or there is a non-MRI compatible metallic implant close to the vital structures like an aneurysm clip.
In case you have been told that you are not at high risk:
Here again there are two situations – In one you know that you have dense breasts and in the other you do not know this. In case you do not know that you have this issue, you should opt for a mammogram and ask the radiologist for a density report. You should also find out the category of density which is usually mentioned in the report of the mammogram.
In case you do not have dense breasts then you should opt for mammography on a routine basis along with tomosynthesis or 3D mammography. If combined with 2D mammography tomo can detect 1 to 2 additional cancers in every thousand woman’s screening.
In case you have dense breasts then you should opt for a digital rather than film 2D mammogram. Your healthcare provider may suggest any additional screening based on your risk factors.