Breast density is a measure of the amount of fibroglandular tissue in a woman’s breast compared to fatty tissue.
Mammography centers will soon notify patients about their breast density to improve early detection of the deadly breast cancer. The new rule goes into effect Tuesday and is part of updated mammography regulations, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Although similar laws have been enacted in many states, including Colorado and Minnesota, this is the first nationwide regulation. More than half of women over 40 in the U.S. have dense breast tissue, which makes cancers harder to detect on a mammogram, the FDA said.
What is dense breast tissue??
According to doctors, dense breasts have been identified as a major risk factor for developing breast cancer. Breast density is a measure of the amount of fibroglandular tissue in a woman’s breast compared to fatty tissue. The more fibroglandular tissue there is, the denser the breast.
On a mammogram, both lumps and tissue appear white, meaning the breasts are dense — meaning they have less fat and more tissue. So tumors or other masses may not show up well on images captured by standard mammograms. Doctors say that despite common misconceptions, dense breasts cannot be determined by self-exams or clinical examinations.
Does breast density change over time?
Experts say women have dense breasts if they are younger, have a lower body weight, and are pregnant or breastfeeding. However, the CDC says breast density changes over time. Although dense breasts are hereditary, doctors say they can also be affected by the use of menopausal hormone therapy and having a low body mass index.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and occurs when breast cancer cells multiply and become tumors, which means they spread from the breasts to other areas of the body. Although cancer usually affects women aged 50 years or older, it can also affect younger women.
According to experts, breast cells mutate and become cancer cells that divide and multiply to create tumors, but it is not clear what triggers this change. However, research indicates that there are several risk factors that increase the chances of suffering from this dreaded disease, including:
- Age
- Family history
- Genetics
- Smoking
- Drink
- Obesity
- Exposure to radiation
- Hormone replacement therapy
Signs and symptoms
Doctors say the disease affects the breasts in different ways. While some of the symptoms of cancer are very distinctive, others may simply appear to be areas that look very different from others. Some symptoms it causes include:
- A change in the size, shape, or contour of your breast.
- A lump or mass that feels extremely small
- A change in the look or feel of your skin, breast, or nipple.
- A hardened, marble-like area under the skin.
- A clear or bloody discharge from the nipple
For women at average risk, breast cancer screening should be done every two years starting at age 40, according to official recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of national experts.
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