High breast density makes breast cancer harder to detect through routine mammograms and is an independent risk factor for developing breast cancer. BreastScreen Australia has updated its national policy to recommend everyone screened be informed in writing of their breast density, but currently only New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia do so.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00Jenny Edwards had no idea she had dense breasts until she was diagnosed with cancer.
00:09So as well as a tumour in my left breast I had two fibroadenomas which are other sorts of lumps but benign lumps.
00:16And in my right breast I had a cyst.
00:19A routine mammogram earlier this year showed irregularities.
00:23A 3D scan and ultrasound followed as did the news about her high breast density.
00:29I certainly wasn't aware.
00:31You know dense breasts it's harder to detect the lumps and tumours yourself.
00:35And even on the imaging it's not as obvious.
00:38So the second round of imaging is what made things much clearer.
00:41So very lucky.
00:42Breast density refers to a person's mix of breast tissue.
00:46Fatty tissue is transparent on a mammogram while dense tissue is opaque.
00:51The higher a person's breast density the higher their risk of developing cancer.
00:56And the harder it is to detect the disease if it develops.
01:00We know that maybe one in three women will have dense breasts.
01:05Breast cancer specialist John Boyages says it's vital women are aware of their own breast density.
01:11It's important that women are armed with that knowledge.
01:15There's no doubt about it.
01:17And it can save lives.
01:19Just last week BreastScreen Australia the government funded national cancer screening program changed its position statement on breast density.
01:28Its policy had been not to record or report it to patients.
01:33But now it recommends all women are informed in writing as part of routine screening.
01:38It's already standard practice in some parts of the country but not in the ACT yet.
01:45The timeline is hopefully early next year but could be towards the middle of next year.
01:51Jenny had surgery to remove the tumour and is now having radiation treatment.
01:56She considers herself one of the lucky ones.
01:59The outcomes are very good if you get it nice and early.
02:03A task made easier when women are well informed.