Breast Health Information and Recommendations

Breast Cancer Facts from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. and the American College Of Radiology

  • 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime
  • 1 in 6 breast cancers occur in women ages 40-49
  • 3 of 4 women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of the disease
  • Breast Cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women
  • Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women
  • Approximately 252,710 women in will be diagnosed with breast cancer every year
  • Approximately 2,470 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer every year
  • On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer
  • 1 woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes
  • Over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today.
  • More than 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 to 49, have no family history of breast cancer

FAQs

When should I begin having a mammogram?
The American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging recommend women start getting annual mammograms at the age of 40 and continue as long as they are in good health.

How do I know if I am at high risk?
High risk patients include women who:
  • Have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 20% or greater, according to risk assessment tools that are based mainly on family history
  • Have a known BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53, PTEN, STK11, CDH1, PALB2, CHEK2, ATM, NBN, BARD1 gene mutation based on having had genetic testing
  • Have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, and have not had genetic testing themselves
  • Had radiation therapy to the chest when they were between the ages of 10 and 30 years

What is dense breast tissue?
  • Having dense breast tissue is very common and is not abnormal.
  • Breasts are made up of fibrous tissue, glandular tissue and fatty tissue. Your breasts are considered dense if you have a lot of fibrous or glandular tissue, and not much fat. Usually, breasts become less dense with age.
  • The density of your breasts can only be determined by the radiologist reading your mammogram. Breast density is not related to breast size or firmness.

For more information about dense breast tissue, visit:

https://www.acraccreditation.org/-/media/ACRAccreditation/Mammography-Saves-Lives/Files/Breast-Density-bro_hires.pdf?la=en