FDA requires new info on breast density with all mammograms

We do want to get to the topic of breast density because there's new information out there. This new study shows that women with dense breast tissue are up to four times more likely to get breast cancer. You know, this was just published in drama. And I think for people who have dense breast, this might be *** real wake up call This is *** great topic and I'm glad that we're addressing that today, I think when we think about risk factors for breast cancer, we think about whether or not we have *** family member who has breast cancer, whether or not we are overweight or obese. Is that increasing our risk? But oftentimes we're not talking enough about how dense breast tissue could increase your risk factor as Elizabeth mentioned by four times and that's *** pretty large number. This is *** real great opportunity to educate the public about this. If you see dense breasts. tissue in your mammogram report, even if your doctor doesn't mention anything more to you. I think it is *** reason to bring up *** conversation about. Do I need to get another study done like an MRI of my breast or an ultrasound? The reason why is because when we do mammograms, breast dense breast tissue shows up as white. And so does cancer show up as white? So oftentimes, we might not find that cancer because it's masked in all of that dense breast tissue, which is bright white. So this is an important reason to talk to your doctor about whether or not you need further screening. Um And to realize that this is just one unique opportunity to help prevent breast cancer. Absolutely.

All U.S. women getting mammograms will soon receive information about their breast density, which can sometimes make cancer harder to spot.The new requirements, finalized Thursday by the Food and Drug Administration, are aimed at standardizing the information given to millions of women following scans to detect breast cancer. Regulators first proposed the changes in 2019 and health care providers will have 18 months to comply with the policy.Video above: Dense breast tissue can increase cancer risk factor, study saysSome states already require that women receive information on breast density.About half of women over age 40 have dense breasts, with less fatty tissue and more connective and glandular tissue. That tissue appears white on X-rays, the same color as growths in the breast, making mammograms harder to read. Dense breast tissue is one of the factors that can increase a woman's chances of developing cancer.Video below: Here's what happens during a mammogramUnder the new rules, women with dense breasts will receive a written memo alerting them that their status "makes it harder to find breast cancer." Those patients will also be directed to speak with their doctor about their results.Professional guidelines don't specify next steps for women identified with dense breasts, but some physicians may recommend additional forms of scanning, including ultrasound or MRI.

WASHINGTON —

All U.S. women getting mammograms will soon receive information about their breast density, which can sometimes make cancer harder to spot.

The new requirements, finalized Thursday by the Food and Drug Administration, are aimed at standardizing the information given to millions of women following scans to detect breast cancer. Regulators first proposed the changes in 2019 and health care providers will have 18 months to comply with the policy.

Video above: Dense breast tissue can increase cancer risk factor, study says

Some states already require that women receive information on breast density.

About half of women over age 40 have dense breasts, with less fatty tissue and more connective and glandular tissue. That tissue appears white on X-rays, the same color as growths in the breast, making mammograms harder to read. Dense breast tissue is one of the factors that can increase a woman's chances of developing cancer.

Video below: Here's what happens during a mammogram

Under the new rules, women with dense breasts will receive a written memo alerting them that their status "makes it harder to find breast cancer." Those patients will also be directed to speak with their doctor about their results.

Professional guidelines don't specify next steps for women identified with dense breasts, but some physicians may recommend additional forms of scanning, including ultrasound or MRI.

FDA requires new info on breast density with all mammograms

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