Breast density information for GPs
We have commenced a staged rollout of breast density reporting in our program.
Here you can find answers to commonly asked questions about breast density.
We continue to recommend women aged 50 to 74 have a breast screen (mammogram) every two years as it is still considered the most effective way to detect breast cancer early.
We are currently in the early stages of a state-wide rollout of breast density reporting. The means we are reporting breast density to some clients in their results letter and seeking feedback from them to inform the rest of the rollout.
If a client who breast density is reported to nominates you to receive a copy of their results, you will receive their breast density category with their results.
We expect to be reporting breast density to all clients and their GPs by early 2025.
Breasts are made up of a combination of tissue:
- Fatty tissue
- Glandular tissue
- Connective/fibrous tissue
Women with high breast density have more fibroglandular tissue and less fatty tissue.
Breast density cannot be determined by the look and feel of a woman’s breast or on physical examination. It can only be measured from a mammogram.
Breast density is commonly classified into four categories using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS), American College of Radiology (ACR) 5th edition:
- A: breasts are almost entirely fatty (approximately 10% of women)
- B: breasts have scattered areas of fibroglandular tissue (approximately 40% of women)
- C: breasts are heterogeneously dense. The mix of non-dense and dense tissue may hide small cancers. (approximately 40% of women)
- D: breasts are extremely dense, reducing the visibility of cancers on a mammogram (approximately 10% of women)
Women with a BI-RADS category C or D classification are considered to have dense breasts.
Dense breast tissue can mask the appearance of cancers in a mammogram, making them harder to detect.
High breast density also increases a person’s risk of developing breast cancer.
Women with dense breasts (BI-RADS category C or D) have a 1.5-2 times higher risk of breast cancer compared to those in BI-RADS category B. The risk is higher for women with category D density compared to category C. Breast density should be considered alongside other risk factors including age, family history and lifestyle factors including smoking and alcohol intake.
Having dense breasts does not mean that a woman will develop breast cancer or mean that a woman with breast cancer is more likely to die from it.
Breast density usually reduces with age, with more younger women having dense breasts compared to older women. It is also influenced by other factors including genetics, BMI (a lower BMI is associated with higher breast density), having had children (may decrease breast density), hormone replacement therapy (may increase breast density), and anti-estrogen therapy (may decrease breast density).
Breast density is measured from a mammogram. We use Volpara software to produce a measurement in a standardised, reproducible system without human variability.
No additional imaging is required to measure breast density, which means the screening process for women has not changed. No additional time or radiation is required to measure breast density.
No. Volpara’s software can’t measure breast density in a small number of cases.
We won’t repeat a client’s screening if the software can’t measure their breast density as it would unnecessarily expose them to additional radiation.
Breast density should be considered in the context of a patient’s overall risk, not in isolation.
We recommend that clients with extremely dense breasts (BI-RADS category D) see a doctor for a risk assessment. You may wish to use a risk tool such as iPrevent or the Tyrer-Cuzick risk model to facilitate a discussion with your patient. While some risk factors are not modifiable, encouraging your patients to reduce their risk with lifestyle modifications is one of the key roles of GPs.
While high breast density can reduce the visibility of cancers on a mammogram, mammograms still detect the majority of cancers in people with high breast density. High breast density alone does not necessarily mean a patient needs additional imaging.
There are a range of options for enhanced surveillance for patients with high breast density including MRI, ultrasound, tomosynthesis or contrast enhanced mammography. These should be considered in the context of the patient’s other breast cancer risk factors, personal circumstances and preferences.
These supplementary tests are not currently funded as part of the BreastScreen program, however, some patients may wish to access them privately.
Many items are covered under the Medicare Benefits Schedule for appropriate patients. For example, for a small number of patients who meet the criteria, they will be able to access an MRI under MBS Item 63464. The criterion that may allow access for a patient with high breast density is a lifetime risk estimation greater than 30% or a 10 year absolute risk estimation greater than 5% using a clinically relevant risk evaluation algorithm. Currently, the accepted algorithm is the Tyrer-Cuzick algorithm version 8 or later, to which breast density is an input.
If you have any questions about breast density, you can call us on 03 8843 0029.
View a recording of a webinar about breast density reporting in the BreastScreen Victoria program.