It’s estimated that 1 in 8 cancer diagnoses globally is breast cancer, and in the US around 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed last year, with 51,400 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ. Sadly, that translates to around 43,250 deaths overall. Breast cancer can affect all sexes, races, and abilities, so it’s vital that we all get checked for breast tissue abnormalities.
Knowing your body is your first defense against illness, but not every condition has symptoms. Dense breast tissue is not a disorder or illness, and therefore doesn’t come with recognizable symptoms. That being said, DBT is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.
Around 40% to 50% of women aged 40 to 74 years old have DBT, and 1 in 10 women have very dense breasts, and 4 out of 10 have scattered density and fat. People in the very dense breast classification are 4 to 6 times more likely to get breast cancer than others.
DBT isn’t as often discussed as breast cancer is itself, which is where DenseBreast-info enters. September 27 is World Dense Breast Day, and 24-hour social media campaign aims to spread awareness about DBT with the hashtag #WorldDenseBreastDay. Through educational posts that spotlight statistics, resources, and personal experiences, the campaign will help the public learn more about the condition.
So, what is DBT?
Breasts are made up of body fat and mammary glands that are held together by fibrous and glandular tissue. Added together, the tissues are known as fibroglandular tissue. The fibrous tissue holds the breast in place, essentially. The glandular tissue produces milk, and the fatty tissue fills the space between everything, including the lobes and ducts that transfer milk.
Dense breasts are made up of more glands and tissue than they are fat. But you won't necessarily feel that denseness, as not all dense breasts feel firm, and not all form breasts have dense tissue. This is why it's important to book a mammogram to determine whether you have it, as many people go through life not knowing.
What causes DBT?
Many factors that lead to DBT, one of which being that it is passed down from previous generations. Low body mass index can also lead to DBT, however it's not necessarily causation. Because most people who have dense breasts are between 40 and 74, it's clear that age is also a factor. Using menopausal hormone therapy can also affect your chances of DBT, as it has been shown to increase breast density.
Most of the time it can be up to luck whether you have it, as a healthy lifestyle looks different on everybody. So if you are diagnosed, it’s important not to stress over the hows and whys, and realize that you can still lead a perfectly healthy life unaffected.
How do I get tested?
Though it’s impossible to treat DBT, getting tested for it should be on everyone’s to-do list. In the US, every state is required by law to alert you if your mammogram shows dense tissue, as well as which category it falls into. Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) are used to identify breast density, with a personal report of any masses that are found, with their size, shape, and location.
You can opt to book a mammogram if you feel you need to, but in general terms, the USPSTF recommends that women between age 50 and 74 are screened every two years. Check out the screening guidelines for getting a mammogram if you need more information, and call your general practitioner for more details on how to book an appointment.
My doctor says I don’t need a screening, what do I do?
If you fit the criteria and are being told you shouldn’t bother with getting tested, get a second opinion. Though there’s no need to ruminate about something that may not happen, one mammogram could be the difference between life and death. Taking the test can take years of stress off your life, and if there is a problem to find it means you’ll have caught it early. You know your body, and if you want a screening, then fight for it.
Where can I go for support?
If you discover that you are indeed at a higher risk of breast cancer, there are places both online and off you can go for support. Densebreast-info has countless resources for both patients and doctors, ranging from educational videos, fact sheets, a blog, and daily discussions on its social media accounts where you can leave comments and questions. Be sure to check out the #WorldDenseBreastDay campaign on Twitter, where fellow dense breasters will be posting their experiences, and doctors will be posting their input.
*Disclaimer: The advice on LittleThings is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
