27 1 / 2012
How To Detect Dense Breast Tissue
Most women don’t know this but a study has shown that women with dense breast tissue are at a greater risk than those with fatty tissue of getting breast cancer. Dense breast tissue makes it very hard to identify tumors on a mammogram. Dense breast tissue hides the tumor as it looks light while fatty tissues are look dark on the mammogram. Hence the dense breast tissue appears to be a major risk factor for those women who carry the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 and for older women. However the issue of dense breast tissue as a risk factor for cancer is almost never discussed between the patient and the doctor.
Dense breast tissue is formed because of more duct lining and milk gland than fatty tissue in the breast. But women cannot accurately conclude whether the fatty tissues are less than the other tissue all be themselves. Whether or not that if the case can be confirmed only by going for routine mammogram check ups. It is very dreadful to have dense breast tissue because it veils the danger of breast cancer.
Research have revealed than it women with 75 per cent more dense breast tissue are five times more at risk of getting cancer than women with 10 per cent or less dense breast tissue. Even after safe mammogram tests women with dense breast issue are 18 times at a greater risk of coming positive in the mammogram within the first year.
Out of every 8 women in the world according to the American Cancer Society, one gets breast cancer in her lifetime. Hence breast cancer is the second most potent disease next to lung cancer to affect women.
It is wise for a woman to inquire the doctor about the density of breasts during mammogram. It is also wise to do monthly self examination for early detection of any abnormalities. Tumors are much harder than the normal bumpy breast tissues and so a woman who does regular self examination will be able to tell the difference between the two.
