Increased focus on breast density
and its role in cancer screening
In 2024, the FDA revised the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) to mandate the inclusion of breast density classification in all mammography reports.
While this regulatory update received widespread media attention, many patients remain unaware of their breast density or its implications for their breast health—until it’s explained by a trusted healthcare provider like you.
Share your expertise
There is no one more qualified than you to explain possible additional screening options. For most patients, a letter is not enough. They want to hear from you. One study shows 80% of women want to hear from providers personally about breast density—not just from a letter.1 Until they hear it from you, women with dense breast tissue may not know their risks and options.
Spread the word
We want to join you in the effort to increase awareness of breast density and additional screening options. Take advantage of our helpful information resources and share them with referring physicians and your patients. Your practice manager or marketing team may also want to use these materials for patient and community education.
Count on us
Siemens Healthineers is on your team in the fight against breast cancer. Turn to us for one of the most innovative breast care portfolios in the industry: mammography, tomosynthesis, ultrasound, MRI, and beyond. Together, we can give every woman every chance at early breast cancer detection.
Facts worth sharing
As you know, early detection of breast cancer within dense breast tissue can be challenging because cancer can “hide” within it. But other healthcare providers and patients may not be armed with the facts they need:
Breasts are made up of a mixture of fibrous and glandular tissue and fatty tissue. They are considered dense if they contain fibrous glandular tissue but not much fat. Density may decrease with age, but there is little, if any, change in most women.
Dense breast tissue is categorized into four levels: almost entirely fatty, scattered areas of density, heterogeneously dense, and extremely dense. The radiologist assigns each mammogram to one of these categories.
Higher breast density can both mask cancer on a mammogram and increase the risk for developing breast cancer. On a regular mammogram — which doctors recommend people start receiving regularly between ages 40 and 50 — highly dense breast tissue appears white, the same as potentially cancerous abnormalities. Women with dense breasts need easy access to supplementary breast cancer screening tests.
Screening options for patients
After a mammogram, other screening tests, such as ultrasound or MRI, may find more early-state cancers in dense breasts.
Mammogram
Mammography is the gold standard and first line of defense in the fight against breast cancer. It is the most common method for detecting breast abnormalities and initial tumor stage.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound scan is often performed as an adjunct to the mammogram for women with dense breast tissue. It is often used to review certain areas of the breast or findings that are suspicious.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is recommended for women who may need additional screening after a mammogram and who have a significant breast cancer risk, such as particularly dense breast tissue.
Supporting you with resources
We’ve made it easier for you, your practice manager, and your marketing team to communicate the facts and information about breast density to your patients. Simply take advantage of these materials and resources we’ve created for you to inform and educate:
Interested in learning more about breast ultrasound? Download our ebook.
This eBook shows how breast ultrasound, together with advanced elastography techniques such as strain and next generation 2D shear wave elastography, can support clinicians in characterizing lesions with greater confidence, improving accuracy in dense breast tissue, and reducing unnecessary biopsies.
Links
Below is a list of links to information on the Siemens Healthineers website, as well as external sources you can share with your patients.
Additional Resources
- FDA Updates Mammography Regulations to Require Reporting of Breast Density Information and Enhance Facility Oversight
- FDA National Reporting Standard
- JAMA Network: New Federal Requirements to Inform Patients About Breast Density
- Implementing the National Dense Breast Reporting Standard
- DBI: Provides education for providers and patients
- Are You Dense: Provides patient-friendly tools available for download
- National Cancer Institute: An updated resource including the latest research
- PBS News: Cancer can go undetected in dense breasts. A new FDA rule will require providers to inform patients of that risk
Questions you may hear from patients
Developments in legislation
The non-profit group DBI maintains updated legislative information impacting women with dense breasts. For the latest developments, visit this page for more information.
