Understanding breast density is crucial for maintaining breast health. It is important to be aware of your breast density in order to effectively manage your risk of breast cancer.
In a WebMD webinar titled “Breast Density: Why It Matters,” Dr. Elizabeth Dibble, a diagnostic radiology specialist and associate professor at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, explained the impact of breast density on breast cancer risk and the significance of knowing your own breast density. She also discussed the latest imaging options available.
Dr. Dibble emphasized the need to know both your personal risk level for developing breast cancer and your breast density. If you have non-dense breast tissue and are at low risk for breast cancer, regular mammograms may be sufficient. However, if you have dense breast tissue and are at average or intermediate risk, additional screening methods should be considered.
The webinar also featured a poll in which 33% of participants expressed interest in learning more about breast cancer screening tests, particularly which tests are most effective for different types of breast density. Other topics of interest included the relationship between breast density and age, the impact of breast density on breast cancer risk, how to determine if you have dense breasts, and whether breast density is hereditary.
To determine your breast density, you will need to undergo imaging tests. Breast density tends to decrease as you age, with around 75% of women under 50 having dense breasts compared to one-third of women over 50. If you are unsure of your breast density, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor.
Having dense breasts is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer, as well as larger and more aggressive tumors. Mammograms are less effective in detecting breast cancer in dense breasts, so it is important to be aware of your breast density and take additional screening steps if necessary. In some states, there are laws requiring notification about breast density and the option for additional screening.
In addition to regular mammograms, there are other screening tools available for women with dense breasts, such as 3D mammography, ultrasound, MRI, molecular breast imaging, and contrast-enhanced mammography.
During the webinar, Dr. Dibble addressed viewer questions, including whether breast density can be reduced through diet, whether genetic risk can skip a generation, how hormone therapy affects breast density, and the availability of clinical trials related to breast density. She explained that breast density cannot be significantly changed through diet, genetic risk does not skip a generation, hormone therapy can increase breast density, and there are ongoing clinical trials exploring various screening methods.
Regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in breast screenings, Dr. Dibble mentioned that while AI programs exist, they are not currently replacing radiologists’ interpretations of mammograms. However, in the future, AI may be used to enhance accuracy by providing a second read of imaging results.
The frequency of diagnostic mammograms depends on the specific circumstances. If a radiologist determines that an issue is unlikely to be cancerous, regular screening mammograms will be recommended. However, if further monitoring is necessary, a follow-up diagnostic mammogram may be scheduled.
Although MRI is better at detecting breast cancers than mammograms, mammography is still widely used due to its proven effectiveness in reducing death and complications from breast cancer. MRI screening does not have the same level of data and research for dense breast populations. It is possible that future advancements may change this.
Determining breast density can be subjective, but there are software programs available that provide objective measurements. Overall, reviewing breast density is a standard practice among doctors.
If you missed the webinar, a replay is available for you to watch. Additionally, WebMD offers other free webinars featuring leading experts on various health topics.
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