Density is the third word you need to know!

Density of your breast tissue, that is.


Why?


When one compares, as has been done in long-term follow-up studies, those women with the most dense breast tissue (>75% of the mammogram) to those women with the least dense breast tissue (<25% of the mammogram) we find 5x more breast cancers in the dense tissue!


Only part of the problem is that density means more cancers.  Actually mammograms don't discriminate in dense tissue well.  The mammogram records the density only and not what is in the dense tissue.  


Sonograms or breast ultrasounds do "see" well into the density and in most cases are the next step when you find out that you have dense breast tissue.  


MRI of the breast is the next exam with good data, but is more expensive than a sonogram, requires an IV and has a rather high false positive rate (things look like cancer that turnout not to be) on the first exam.  


Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) is a very promising next study and may become the one to do, but has limited data behind it, requires an IV and a systemic radiotracer injection. 


Breast tomosynthesis, positron scans and even automated breast ultrasound may one day be useful in "seeing through" dense breast tissue.  I'll keep you posted.


Today in Texas, thanks to Henda's Law (see http://drwinsett.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-do-you-do-if-you-dense-breast.html), the mammogram facility is required to tell you if you have dense breast tissue (its in the report) so you can discuss with your doctor the best next step for you.  For many that is a full breast ultrasound.  Call for one today 512-451-5788 or discuss the option with your doctor, if you have dense breast tissue.




Together we can prevent 75,000 breast cancer cases each year!


The content is general medical information and not personal medical advice.