What Are Dense Breasts and How Can They Affect My Mammogram?

If you’ve been told you have dense breasts, you may wonder how this impacts your mammogram results and overall breast health. At Craig Ranch OB/GYN in McKinney, Texas, we perform mammograms in-office as part of your women’s wellness exams, offering a convenient way to stay on top of your breast health.

Understanding how dense breast tissue affects mammograms can help you make the best choices for your health care.

What Are Dense Breasts?

Breast composition includes fat, fibrous tissue, and glandular tissue. Density is the amount of glandular and fibrous tissue versus fat. Density and breast size aren’t related: You can have dense breasts with an A cup, while a woman with DD breasts may not have dense breasts.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 50% of women 40 and older have dense breasts. Numerous studies show that highly dense breasts increase the risk of breast cancer. However, dense breasts are just one of many factors that could contribute to breast cancer risk level.

Understanding your breast density is important for ensuring you receive the best care.

How Does Breast Density Affect Your Mammogram?

Dense breasts look whiter on a mammogram, sometimes making it harder to detect abnormalities. Cancerous growths also appear white on mammograms, which means the dense breast tissue may conceal cancers and potentially make it more challenging for radiologists to spot potential issues.

This doesn’t mean a mammogram is ineffective, but it may make cancerous tumors or growths harder to see.

Because mammograms may be more challenging to interpret for women with dense breasts, we may recommend additional screenings. Examples include breast ultrasounds and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These screenings may provide a more detailed look at the breasts when mammogram results aren’t adequately clear.

At Craig Ranch OB/GYN, we work closely with you to determine the best screening methods for your breast health. Generally, we recommend breast cancer screening during your annual well-woman exam. Our caring team understands that learning about breast density can be confusing, and we’re here to guide you through the process with care and expertise.

Mammograms For Dense Breasts in McKinney, Texas

If you have dense breasts and are due for a mammogram, our Craig Ranch OB/GYN team is ready to help. Call 214-544-6600 to schedule your mammogram at our office in McKinney, Texas.