Breast Density: C - Heterogeneiously Dense
What is Breast Density?
Breasts are made up of a mixture of fibrous, glandular, and fatty tissue. Your breasts are considered dense if you have more fibrous or glandular tissue and less fat. 40 percent of women have dense breast tissue.
How Do I Know if I Have Dense Breast Tissue?
- Automatic software analyzes mammogram images objectively and consistently, providing the radiologist with breast composition information, including breast density assessment.
- A breast density score will now be included in the patient letter following the mammogram screening. The score will range from A (fatty) to D (extremely dense).
- Women with dense breasts (category C or D), should consider additional breast exam options in addition to a yearly mammogram.
Why is Breast Density Important?
Having dense breast tissue may increase your risk of getting breast cancer. Dense breasts also make it more difficult for doctors to spot cancer on mammograms. Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram. Lumps, both benign and cancerous, also appear white. So mammograms can be less accurate in women with dense breasts.
If I Have Dense Breasts, Do I Still Need a Mammogram?
Yes. A mammogram is the only medical imaging screening test proven to reduce breast cancer deaths. Many cancers are seen on mammograms even if you have dense breast tissue. McFarland Clinic offers additional screening for women with dense breast tissue.
What Should I Do or Not Do if I Have Dense Breasts?
If you have dense breasts, please talk to your doctor. Together, you can decide which, if any, additional screening exams are right for you. If your breasts are not dense, other factors may still place you at increased risk for breast cancer — including a family history of the disease, previous chest radiation treatment for cancer and previous breast biopsies that show you are at high risk.
Talk to your doctor and discuss your history. Even if you are at low risk, and have entirely fatty breasts, you should still get an annual mammogram starting at age 40.
Additional Screening Options for Dense Breasts
Abbreviated Breast MRIMRI uses strong magnets to create detailed images of the breast tissue. In addition to your yearly mammogram, research studies have shown that MRI is the best method at detecting breast cancer at its smallest size. The Radiologists at McFarland Clinic encourage patients with dense breast tissue to have a screening MRI, to help aid in cancer detection. The Examination: What to ExpectThere is no special prep for this 15-20 minute exam. An IV will be started prior to the study. While images are acquired, you will be lying on your abdomen with your arms at your side or above your head and contrast material will be administered through your IV. The Radiologist will interpret your images and a report will be given to your ordering provider. Abbreviated Breast MRI exams are now being submitted to insurance. Your financial responsibility will depend on your coverage and benefits. If you have questions about your coverage for this exam, please contact your insurance provider and provide them with CPT code 77049-52 and diagnosis code R92.2. |
Automated Whole Breast Ultrasound (AWBUS)Ultrasound uses sound waves to image your breast tissue. AWBUS is an alternative screening tool that can help aid in the detection of cancers when used with mammography. It is not a replacement for screening mammography. Women who have dense breast tissue and choose not to undergo MRI screening, can choose AWBUS. The Examination: What to ExpectThere is no special prep for this 20-30 minute exam. While lying on your back, a screening exam of both breasts will be performed by a technologist who will guide an ultrasound transducer across the breast tissue. A Radiologist will interpret your images and a report will be given to your provider. Unlike mammography, which is billed as a preventative exam, most insurance companies will apply the costs of this imaging study to the medical/deductible portion of your insurance. You may be responsible for up to $450 for this exam. If you would like to discuss the costs with your insurance company prior to this exam, provide them with CPT code 76641 and diagnosis code R92.2. |
