BreastScreen NSW will by the end of April advise women of their breast density to help them better understand the risk of breast cancer and make more informed decisions about breast health.
Breast density refers to how much dense breast tissue a person has, compared to fatty tissue.
It’s estimated around 40 per cent of women who have screened with BreastScreen NSW have dense breast tissue.
Breast density reporting will be phased over coming months using new technology recently implemented by BreastScreen NSW.
This will take place as part of a woman’s routine breast screen and won’t change a person’s screening experience in any way.
While having dense breasts doesn’t mean a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer, extremely dense breast tissue can in some cases, reduce the visibility of cancers on a mammogram.
NSW Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Tracey O’Brien, said New South Wales is one of an increasing number of states and territories providing this important information to improve health outcomes.
“We know women want this information to make informed decisions about their breast care as well as have a better understanding of their breast cancer risk,” Professor O’Brien said.
“It’s important to remember it is common and normal to have high breast density and regardless of your breast density women are encouraged to have regular mammograms,” Professor O’Brien said.
Understanding breast density
Breast density cannot be felt and is not linked to breast size or shape.
For most women, density changes over time and reduces with age.
There are four categories of breast density, ranging from A to D and all categories are considered normal.
While breast density is a known risk factor for breast cancer, age is the biggest risk factor, with more than 75 per cent of breast cancers occurring in women over 50. Family history, genetic, reproductive and modifiable risk factors like diet and alcohol consumption can also increase a person’s risk of the disease.
Everyone is unique
Everyone’s circumstances are unique so we recommend women who are concerned or have questions, have a discussion with their GP about their individual risk factors.
Regardless of their breast density, women aged 50–74 years are recommended to have a breast screen every two years. BreastScreen NSW recommends Aboriginal women start screening at 40 years.
For more information about breast density and breast density reporting visit www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au/density or www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au/professionals.
To make an appointment at a local BreastScreen NSW clinic or mobile van, call 13 20 50 or book online at www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au.
