How to Check for Dense Breasts (a risk factor for breast cancer)
Dense breast tissue appears to be an important risk factor for breast cancer. There is nothing unusual about the look or feel of dense breast tissue, but it has a different appearance than regulat tissue when it is x-rayed. Here's what women should know about dense breast tissue and its possible relation to breast cancer.
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Instructions
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**Know the facts**
About one in four women have what is known as dense breast tissue. This is tissue with a higher than usual concentration of milk glands and ducts.
Typical fatty tissue in the breast appears dark in mammograms, while dense breast tissue appears much lighter. The light color of dense breast tissue, and the overall similarity in appearance to tumors, makes it more difficult to see light-colored tumors in mammograms. The added difficulty of spotting tumors may contribute to an increased risk of missing early signs of breast cancer.
In addition, there is evidence to suggest that women with dense breast tissue are more prone to developing cancer than other women.
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**Know the limits**
Unfortunately, there is no reliable way to self-test for dense breast tissue. Density can only be determined through a mammogram, or other types of medical tests, such as an MRI.
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**Follow up**
Medical researchers feel that the density of breast tissue is a significant, but under-discussed factor in screening women for breast cancer risks. To find out more, and read the articles in the Resource section and discuss this important issue with your doctor.
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