What is dense breast tissue?
Dense breasts have more glandular and connective tissue than fatty tissue.
Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram, which can make it harder to detect cancer
Prevalence & Risk
- About 40–50% of women over 40 have dense breasts
- Dense breasts are common and not abnormal, but they can slightly increase breast cancer risk; dense tissue makes detection harder rather than causing cancer
Why It Matters
- Dense tissue can mask tumors on mammograms, making cancer harder to detect.
- Early detection is critical, so women with dense breasts may need supplemental screening
Recommended Supplemental Tests:
- MRI: For higher-risk women.
- 3D Mammography (Tomosynthesis): Provides clearer images
- Contrast-Enhanced Mammography (CEM): Images are captured in a way that makes abnormal tissue easier to see than standard mammograms