The Challenge of Breast Density– Options for Management and Breast Cancer Screening

Breast density is now well established as anindependent risk factor for breast cancer. Densebreast tissue, as measured on mammography, alsohas a masking effect, making breast cancer moredifficult to detect. It reduces the sensitivity ofmammography and increases the likelihood of aninterval cancer (malignancy presenting withsymptoms between screening rounds).While the risk and the diagnostic challengesassociated with dense breast tissue are understood,the way it should be managed remains less clear.There is increasing pressure from consumer groupsfor women to be notified of their breast density.These community groups, representing women atrisk of breast cancer, or with a history of breastcancer, have lobbied strongly, and across most of theUnited States notification is now mandated bylegislation. This means that every woman with densebreasts must be sent a letter by her radiologistinforming her of her breast density.

Keywords:

Breast Density