Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Ultrasound, Mammography, Screening, Education, Diagnostic procedure, Cancer, Breast, Not applicable, Radiographers, Oncology
Authors:
A. Vourtsis1, W. A. Berg2, J. Pushkin3, C. Cruwys4; 1Athens/GR, 2Pittsburgh, PA/US, 3Deer Park NY/US, 4Haute Vienne/FR
DOI:
10.26044/ecr2020/C-04048
Learning objectives
Breast density has implications for both breast screening and risk [1,2]. Dense breast tissue can mask detection of noncalcified cancers on a mammogram and is an independent risk factor for the development of breast cancer [3] (Fig.1). Over 40% of women have dense breasts [4], and it is considered normal. Mammography is less effective in women with dense breasts [5] and supplemental screening with ultrasound or MRI are proven to increase the detection of node-negative invasive cancers [6-8].
Dense Breasts Facts
- Breast density is determined through a woman's mammogram and described as one of four categories (Fig.2).
- Dense Breasts are normal; 40% of women age 40 and over have dense breasts.
- Although normal, dense breast tissue is a risk factor for developing breast cancer and the denser the breast, the greater the risk.
- Mammography remains the standard screening test for breast cancer and is proven to reduce mortality from breast cancer by at least 40% [9]. However, in dense breasts, cancers can be hidden on mammography and may go undetected until they are larger and more likely to have a worse prognosis. There is minimal proven benefit to mammography in women with dense breasts [10].
- Other screening tests, such as ultrasound or MRI, when added to mammography, substantially increase the detection of early stage breast cancer in women with dense breasts.
DenseBreast-info.org is an educational resource developed to provide breast density educational tools (Fig.3), and we sought to expand its reach to European healthcare providers. This medically-sourced website is the collaborative effort of our Medical Advisory Board members, consisting of world-renowned breast imaging experts, medical reviewers and patient advocates. Our mission is to educate European providers about breast density and its screening/risk implications with the goal of achieving earlier stage diagnoses for women with dense breasts and encouraging informed conversations/decisions.
In addition to a technology round-up and primer on breast density, the online resource includes an interactive map with country-specific breast screening guidelines (Fig.4, Fig.5), frequently asked questions for healthcare professionals and a European screening decision support tool (Fig.6).