Dense Breast Tissue

Almost 40% of Women Have Dense Breast Tissue

All breasts contain fatty tissue and fibrous, glandular tissue. The amount of either tissue varies from person to person based on genetics, age and life stage. When someone has more fibrous and glandular tissue than fatty tissue, their breasts are considered dense. Dense breasts are common and usually cause no symptoms – in fact, many people only learn they have dense breast tissue when they receive mammogram results. But dense tissue can make cancer harder to see on a standard mammogram and is linked to a slightly higher risk of breast cancer.

Preventive Cancer Care for Dense Breasts

Dense breasts can make cancer harder to detect on standard mammograms. AtlantiCare offers advanced screening and preventive care for women with dense breast tissue, including:

• 3D mammography for clearer screening images
• Screening recommendations based on your personal and family history and risk factors
• A specialized breast care team, including surgeons, oncologists, nurse navigators, dietitians and genetic counselors

Next Steps

If you have been told you have dense breast tissue, knowing your breast density helps you and your care team make informed screening decisions. If you would like to learn more or schedule a mammogram, our team is ready to help. Call the AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute at (609) 677-7299 to take the next step today.