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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Dense Breast Tissue Seen In A Mammogram Indicate?

Hi, tomorrow I am going for a follow up mammogram and ultra sound due to thickened breast tissue in one breast. I am almost 48 and have been told before that I have dense breast tissue plus have a history of cysts. I still have a regular menstrual cycle. How concerned should I be?
Tue, 24 Feb 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Welcome to Health Care magic. Thank you for posting the question.
I can understand your concern.

First , I will give you a bit of information and then give my suggestions.
Breasts are made up of a mixture of lobules, ducts, and fatty and fibrous connective tissue.
The breasts are considered dense if there is a lot of fibrous or glandular tissue but not much fatty tissue. Some women have more dense breast tissue than others for reasons we do not clearly understand. For most women, breast density decreases with age.
But in some women, there is little change. Many women have dense breasts, and it’s not abnormal. So , not to worry much.

There is something to note. Having dense breast tissue (heterogeneously or extremely dense by mammogram) is linked to an
increased risk of getting breast cancer as compared to
women with less dense breast tissue.

Although having dense breast tissue is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, it doesn’t mean you have a high risk overall. There are many risk factors for breast cancer in women – age, starting menstrual periods early and having a late menopause, first pregnancy after age 30, a personal history of breast cancer, and a family history of breast cancer – just to name a few. Your overall risk depends on all of your risk factors taken together.

Now , with all this bit of information I would suggest you not to panic and consult a surgeon. He/she can examine you and correlate clinically. He/she can guide you on the further examinations like Ultrasound and MRI .

Do not worry.

Hope this helps.

Post any other question. We will be happy to help.
Have a nice day. Regards.


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What Does Dense Breast Tissue Seen In A Mammogram Indicate?

Welcome to Health Care magic. Thank you for posting the question. I can understand your concern. First , I will give you a bit of information and then give my suggestions. Breasts are made up of a mixture of lobules, ducts, and fatty and fibrous connective tissue. The breasts are considered dense if there is a lot of fibrous or glandular tissue but not much fatty tissue. Some women have more dense breast tissue than others for reasons we do not clearly understand. For most women, breast density decreases with age. But in some women, there is little change. Many women have dense breasts, and it’s not abnormal. So , not to worry much. There is something to note. Having dense breast tissue (heterogeneously or extremely dense by mammogram) is linked to an increased risk of getting breast cancer as compared to women with less dense breast tissue. Although having dense breast tissue is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, it doesn’t mean you have a high risk overall. There are many risk factors for breast cancer in women – age, starting menstrual periods early and having a late menopause, first pregnancy after age 30, a personal history of breast cancer, and a family history of breast cancer – just to name a few. Your overall risk depends on all of your risk factors taken together. Now , with all this bit of information I would suggest you not to panic and consult a surgeon. He/she can examine you and correlate clinically. He/she can guide you on the further examinations like Ultrasound and MRI . Do not worry. Hope this helps. Post any other question. We will be happy to help. Have a nice day. Regards.