Breast Density Rating

Kelley33

Is your breast density rating the same thing as your Birads Rating?

mammalou

No, the Birads score relates to your mammogram and any findings.  See this link for breast density infor   

http://www.halls.md/breast/density.htm

Galsal

Good link.  Thanks for sharing!

Kelley33

Thank you for the link. I now better undestand breast density rating.

Kelley33

Okay, I requested a copy of my recent diagnostic mammogram and specifically asked for my breast density rating. I did not receive a numerical rating (1-4). Instead, it said heterogeneously dense tissue. I read on areyoudense.org that those words are used when describing a density rating of 3. Has anyone else requested their numerical breast density rating and received a descriptive rating instead?

machfowler

Kelley33,

 I checked my last few reports when I first heard about all this and all mine always say "heterogeneously dense tissue" and something about how this may affect the accuracy of the mamogram. None have any numerical ratings. Don't know if that is standard or not.

1openheart

Mine alwalys say "heterogeneously dense tissue" as well.  Interesting.....

SarahsMom

My left breast is very dense (for my age - 47 - plus the right one is getting lese dense and crystal clear -so I have asymmetry)  - my radiological report always says 50-74%. When you have the films taken, ask them to analyze with a number - I've found that you really need to engage with these folks and tell them what you want to know. The letter that comes to your house is useless. Mine always says my films were normal, but I am actually BIRADS 3, and reading the reports myself yield information about the densities, calcifications, et al. It's kind of "lead or be led" in this realm!

Kelley33

This IS very interesting. I thought I was the only one getting the "run around" about a specific number rating. This year when I had my Mammo, the technician took one pic and asked, "do you work out a lot?" I told her yes, she said I can see the muscle on your pics, you have very dense breasts. Just found out dense breasts runs on in the family on my Dad's side, as does breast cancer as well. I 100% agree that you must be well educated regarding your health or you risk not getting the whole story.

Cherilynn64

Just so you all know, I have a tissue density rating of 4 which is the highest, and mine was written on MRI report as "breast tissue is extremely dense, bilateral enhancement is severe." The MRI doctor told my surgeon on the phone "we didn't have a check box for her, she's past a 4." LOL. My surgeon called her while I was in the office with her back in Jan before I had my surgery b/c my surgeon said "I have never seen wording like this, so I want to ask her what she meant." The way the MRI doc worded it led the surgeon to believe they found cancer in both breasts and she was about to tell me the bad news when I got to my appt...and then the MRI doc called while I was there and clarified it. 

So if my surgeon, who has done this for decades and is a breast cancer/double mastectomy survivor herself, couldn't understand the MRI report on breast tissue density, don't feel bad if you don't! We all know now about this, and we can advocate for ourselves and others :-) 

Cherilynn64

Found this on another forum:

http://www.radiologyassistant.nl/en/4349108442109

 Tells you specifically the number for the density rating and what it means. It's under the Bi-Rads section but it is NOT the Bi-Rads number. Two diff scores. But those of you listed as heterogenous are indeed level 3 on the density scale. I just HAD to go and be a 4+ lol....well I always was an A student. But being a 4+ on this was not the grade I was hoping for ;-) 

farmerlucy

Ladies- my dense breast came back to haunt me. I had a preventive BMX tues for ALH, ADH, and got the path back yesterday. IDC in the same breast but in a totally different area. 1.1 cm. I am sick. I had an MRI/mammo/ ultrasound in late Oct. excision for discharge 11/1 revealed atypical but that was all.

Galsal

Lucy, although you'd wanted to avoid having the IDC at least you'd already moved the main problem.  What a fortunate thing to have occured, all from the obviously difficult decision you made for the pmbx. 

farmerlucy

Thanks. I am in shock right now, but once I get the full path we'll know more.

Galsal

I've shared this information with those I know have quite dense breasts.  Thankful to have it to do so!

KatMJ

Glad I found this topic - I looked over my paperwork and I am listed as having heterogeneously dense one year and extremely dense the next year.  I asked the breast specialist and he told me, 'you are dense, a percentage is subjective'.   Guess I must be between the two - looking at the sample photos I think that's probably it.  I don't have cancer - just hard to read (multiple cysts and dense) so they do more than the average person for me each year (I go to a dedicated breast center).

My aunt died two weeks ago from BC...she fought hard, very hard.  Hers was very aggressive.  Keep fighting. 

besa

This report just came out about breast cancer recurrence in women over 50 with dense breasts

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120321094129.htm

A report from the Eighth European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-8) in Vienna on March 21....

 "ScienceDaily (Mar. 21, 2012) - Women aged 50
and over with breasts that have a high percentage of dense tissue are at
greater risk of their breast cancer recurring, ....."    

calilisa

Besa - thank you for posting the article. Very interesting.  I have been told that I'm dense (hopefully just in my breasts) for years.  I am 55.  It was always said with a chuckle, like "oh you've got some busy breasts there".  I really didn't get it.  (Ok so maybe I am dense minded also.   It wasn't until I came to this site that I started realizing the importance of that comment.  I got a copy of my most recent MRI and it stated the glandular component occupies 80-90% of breast tissue bilaterally.  Is the glandular component what makes a breast dense?

besa

calilisa- Increasted density, from my understanding, can be  due to both fibrous tissue and glandular tissue.    Not only is detection with mammography more difficult but we are more likely to get bc and now  it seems once we are diagnosed (if we are over 50) we are more likely to have a local recurrence.

Summer2recover

Thanks for the new info, besa.

Kelley33

Anybody know the difference between glandular tissue and fibrous tissue?

besa

Fibrous tissue (stroma) is the fibrous connective tissue that supports the breast.  Glandular tissue consists of the epithelial cells that line the ducts and are involved in making milk.  In mammography fibrous tissue  and glandular tissue both show up as white areas on a mammogram (fibroglandular tissue).  Fat shows up as the dark areas on a mammogram. 

Kelley33

Thanks for the explanation

DigitalCowgirl

Thanks to all who posted so much good information.  I have very dense breasts and after being dx with IDC, grade 1 this week, I think I have made my decision on the surgery.  They found IDC (approx 2cm) in my right breast and another "something" that is probably b9 in my left.  So, I am thinking the BMX is the way to go even tho I am terrified.  I don't have the BRCA tests back and I still need to be staged, which I heard comes with the pathology report after surgery.

I'm trying to be positive.  One potential plus could take me to a C cup from a barely B. 

I just need to calm down and stop doing stupid stuff.  My DH caught me trying to put his glasses on.....that in itself is not so stupid, but I had my own glasses on at the time--we were on our way out to meet the surgen.  Last night I kept trying to use the phone to turn the channel on the TV and this this morning I put the pretzels in the fridge.  OMG!  I am a total loon!

Thank you for being here and for giving such good information.  Having knowledge really helps.....I'm just hoping this stupidity abates soon.

calilisa

Cowgirl, I'm so sorry.  It  sounds like you've had an unbelievably difficult week.  Sending you good wishes.  No one should have to go through what you are.  

Peaches70

I'm a returning poster - diagnosed 5 years ago with LCIS, postmenopausal with extremely dense breasts. Am finishing up 5 years on Evista. I was having MRI and mammo until 1 1/2 years ago when my kidney doctor put an end to MRIs. At the time, I had a report of 2 questionable areas that were to be re-examined. The women's center would not perform ultrasound screening, despite prescription, as they said it wasn't covered by my insurance. HOWEVER, when I paid out of pocket $300 to have Sonocine (ultrasound) this year, they were happy to do it. Guess what? 2 areas of abnormality turned up, and I am now recommended to have bilateral biopsy. Hoping that it turns out to be just cysts, but am really PISSED that I had to pay for this. Mammo shows very little in my breasts. Went to RUDense and am trying to help get laws changed to provide information about breast density to us AND to require insurance to cover it as screening (not just diagnostic) when appropriate.

1openheart

Peaches...That is awful!  I would be more than just pissed.  Sending hopes for B9 results and thanks for working to change the laws to benefit all women.