Should I worry about dense breast tissue?

“I just got my mammogram results back and it says I have dense breast tissue, which I didn’t know before. Should I worry about dense breast tissue?”

Dr. Maurício Magalhães
Gynecologist CRM 374840-RJ

No, you should not worry about dense breast tissue. Dense breast tissue is a normal characteristic and not a sign of breast cancer. Dense breasts are more common in younger women and can make mammograms harder to interpret, but this does not mean anything is wrong.

On a mammogram, fatty tissue appears dark, while dense tissue appears white. Because tumors can also look white, dense tissue may sometimes “mask” them, making detection more challenging.

If you have dense breasts, your doctor may recommend additional imaging to provide a clearer and more accurate assessment, depending on your overall risk factors and medical history.

For personalized guidance, consider scheduling an appointment with your OB-GYN or a breast specialist to review your health history and test results. In most cases, there is no cause for concern.

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