Overview
Dense Breast Tissue
Breast density refers to the amount of dense breast tissue relative to fat in your breasts. Dense breast tissue is the normal supportive fibers and gland tissue in the breast. The amount of breast tissue can only be measured on a mammogram. It is not related to breast size or firmness.
Breast density is important for 2 reasons:- Breast cancer can be harder to detect through mammogram on dense breast tissue.
- Women who have more dense breast tissue have a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer.
Breast density can only be determined by a mammogram, not by physical examination. Your official mammogram report from your screening mammogram will include your breast density category. If you have dense breast tissue, you will be notified of this in your results letter.
Breast density types are separated into four categories:
Not dense:
- A: Almost entirely fatty tissue (least dense)
- B: Scattered amounts of breast tissue (uneven density)
Dense:
- C: Heterogeneously dense (the same amount of density throughout)
- D: Extremely dense
If you have a breast density score of C or D, you may benefit from additional screening tests.