Fatty tissue is transparent to x-rays and appears near black on a mammogram. Dense tissue (and cancer) stops x-rays and appears white.
Breast density is classified into four categories by radiologist. Your technician will be able to tell you what your breast density is after your mammogram.
Our clinic uses Volpara, a volumetric breast density measurement tool, to better assess your breast density and are able to offer you a more personalized management approach of your breast health based on your risk factors.
Volpara Density Grade™ has been FDA Approved and scientifi cally correlated to The American College of Radiology BI-RADS™ categories of breast density.
*The WBI BI-RADS distributions suggest a dense population compared to a more typical 10/40/40/10% distribution. The populations here are quite different. For example, the Greenville population has markedly above average BMI, hence, they have much bigger breasts on average, and thus, reduced breast density; the New Zealand data is screening from 45-70; the UT data might be more representative of an average North American population but has diagnostic and screening images in. DMIST found 10%, 43%, 39%, 8%, but remember that some US radiologists hardly ever use BI-RADS 1 or 4.
Women’s & Breast Imaging in Perth is First in Australia to offer women Advanced Breast Density Measurement to improve early detection of cancer. Our clinic offers better personalised breast care; Australia’s first clinical user to install VolparaDensity breast imaging software.
High breast density is a normal condition, but it may affect the ability of the radiologist to find cancers on the mammogram, particularly when they are very small (and more treatable).
Supplementary screening (such as tomosynthesis and/or ultrasound) can substantially improve cancer detection in women with high breast density and together with your clinician you can decide what the right steps are for you.
If your breasts are not dense, other factors may still place you at increased risk of breast cancer – including significant family history, and you should still get an annual mammogram starting at 40.
