Fibroglandular density is a term used to describe how much of the breast tissue is dense or fatty.
People with dense breasts have more fibrous and glandular tissue and less fatty tissue.
People with scattered fibroglandular density have more fatty tissue than fibrous and glandular tissue.
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Dense breasts are common.
About half of people who getmammogramshave high fibroglandular density.
Fibroglandular density refers to breasts that have more fibrous and glandular tissue and less fatty tissue.
This is also calleddense breast tissue.
After a mammogram, breast tissue is rated based on its density or fibroglandular ratio.
Why Is Fibroglandular Density Important?
There are two important reasons for people to know if they have high fibroglandular density.
These include:
When it does develop, breast cancer usually occurs in glandular tissue.
The more glandular tissue you have, the higher the risk.
The risk of breast cancer increases withbreast density.
What Causes Fibroglandular Density?
Risk Factors for Fibroglandular Densities
The amount of fibroglandular density someone has changes over time.
Therefore, its important to know which pop in of breast tissue someone has.
Mammogram reports are required to include breast density information.
Several medical organizations recommend mammograms starting at age 30 for women at higher-than-average risk for developing breast cancer.
Ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of the breast.
An ultrasound can identify abnormal breast tissue that a mammogram cannot detect.
MRI
AnMRIuses magnets and radio waves to produce a detailed image.
It can detect breast cancer in people with high fibroglandular density that a mammogram may miss.
This can lead to additional unnecessary testing.
Your breast tissue is not dense.
Talk to your healthcare provider about breast density, risks for breast cancer, and your individual situation.
Dense:“Breast tissue can be either dense or not dense.
Your breast tissue is dense.
In some people with dense tissue, other imaging tests in addition to a mammogram may help find cancers.
Talk to your healthcare provider about breast density, risks for breast cancer, and your individual situation.
Mammograms can identify the density of the tissue.
Breast tissue that falls under category A or B is considered fatty.
Tissue that classifies as category C or D is considered dense.
Having high fibroglandular density is normal but requires additional healthcare attention.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about dense breasts.
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National Cancer Institute.Dense breasts: answers to commonly asked questions.
American Cancer Society.Breast density and your mammogram report.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About dense breasts.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.My doctor says I have dense breasts: what are dense breasts?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is a mammogram?
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Important Information: Final Rule to Amend the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Screening for breast cancer.
Breastcancer.org.When to get a mammogram.
MD Anderson Cancer Center.Dense breast tissue: what it is, and what to do if you have it.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Breast biopsy.
