New Mammogram Rule: Understanding Breast Density Notifications

Starting this week, women in the U.S. will receive information about their breast density after a mammogram. Here’s a simple guide to understand what this means and why it’s important.

What is Breast Density?

• Definition: Breast density measures the amount of fibroglandular (dense) tissue compared to fatty tissue in the breast. Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram, which can make it harder to see cancer.
• Density Categories:
  • Mostly Fatty: Easier to detect cancer.
  • Scattered Fibroglandular Density: Common; may obscure some cancers.
  • Heterogeneously Dense: Can hide up to 25% of cancers.
  • Extremely Dense: Can hide up to 40% of cancers and increases breast cancer risk.

New FDA Rule

• Effective Date: The new rule takes effect this Tuesday.
• Requirement: All mammogram reports must now include information about breast density.
• Goal: This will help women understand their breast density and its impact on mammogram accuracy.

Why is Breast Density Important?

• Detection Issues: Dense tissue and cancer both appear white on a mammogram, making cancer harder to detect.
• Increased Risk: Dense breasts are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.

What Should Women Do?

• Consult Your Doctor: If you have dense breasts, talk to your healthcare provider to assess your risk and discuss additional imaging options if needed.
• Additional Imaging: Women with dense breasts might benefit from other imaging tests, such as ultrasounds or MRIs, in addition to mammograms.

Personal Story

• JoAnn Pushkin’s Experience: After finding a lump but having a normal mammogram, Pushkin discovered she had dense breasts, which made it harder to detect her cancer. She advocates for breast density notifications to improve early detection.

National Standards

• Current Requirements: About 39 states and the District of Columbia already require some level of breast density reporting.
• New Rule Impact: The new FDA rule will standardize notifications about breast density across the entire country.

Expert Opinions

• Dr. Wendie Berg: Supports the new rule for providing consistent information about breast density to all women.
• Molly Guthrie: Highlights the need for informed conversations with healthcare providers about additional imaging based on breast density.

Access and Equity

• American Cancer Society: Welcomes the new rule but calls for continued efforts to ensure all women have access to high-quality mammograms, addressing disparities in screening quality among different racial groups.

Conclusion

The new FDA rule requiring notifications about breast density is a significant step in improving breast cancer detection. Women should use this information to discuss their screening options with their healthcare providers.