The Medical Minute: What Does It Mean to Have Dense Breasts?

Sarah’s Breast Cancer Journey

Sarah Burke has dense, fibrocystic breasts, which has led to numerous mammograms and ultrasounds. In March 2024, after a routine mammogram and ultrasound, Sarah was told she needed a biopsy. This is her breast cancer story in her own words.  My Usual Routine Mammogram is Not Routine In September 2020, I went in for my routine mammogram. I have very dense, fibrocystic breasts, so I’ve had more mammograms and breast ultrasounds than I can keep tra…

The Medical Minute: What Does It Mean to Have Dense Breasts?

Dense breasts contain more tissue than fat and can make breast cancer harder to detect. A Penn State Health breast imaging radiologist explains what other screening options may improve early detection.

The Medical Minute: What does it mean to have dense breasts?

For women ages 40 and above, mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early, when the disease is most treatable. Mammograms also reveal another important detail: whether you have dense breasts and might benefit from additional breast cancer screening. “Having dense breasts is normal – it means your breasts contain more tissue than fat,” says Dr. Alison Chetlen, chief of breast imaging… Source