Dense Breast Tissue

Mount Carmel's Women's Health Centers are accredited breast centers according to the Natonal Accreditation Program for Breast Centers

While all breasts are made up of fat and breast tissue, not all breasts have the same combination of the two. Some breasts have more fat than breast tissue, while others have more breast tissue than fat. Those with more breast tissue than fat are considered dense.

About 40% of all women have dense breast tissue. It is not abnormal, but it can make detecting breast cancer more difficult. On a mammogram, dense breast tissue appears white. Since masses or lumps also appear white on a mammogram, a suspicious lump can be hidden by dense breast tissue.

That's why Mount Carmel offers supplemental screening methods including 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) and automated breast ultrasound.

3D mammography and automated breast ultrasound create 3D images of dense breast tissue so that any masses or lumps can be more clearly identified, and smaller lesions can be better visualized, aiding in the early detection of breast cancer. Both can help reduce the need for diagnostic imaging.

If you have dense breast tissue, talk with your physician and consider adding one of these supplemental screening methods to your annual mammogram.

3D Mammography

3D mammography utilizes X-ray to take numerous images at different angles and locations throughout the breast so that masses or lumps can be more clearly identified. It is especially helpful in finding cancer which may be hidden in dense breast tissue.

It is performed at the same time as your annual screening mammogram, and can help reduce the need for fewer return visits for additional imaging.

3D mammography is currently available at all of our Women's Health locations. A referral is not required, but you should discuss this screening option with your physician.

Automated Breast Ultrasound

Mount Carmel is proud to offer automated breast ultrasounds. Automated Breast Ultrasound is a FDA-approved breast screening technology specifically developed for women with dense breast tissue, and studies have shown it can improve breast cancer detection by up to 35%.

Automated breast ultrasound does not use radiation and is relatively painless. It sends ultrasound waves throughout the breast to create as 3D pictures of dense breast tissue so that any masses or lumps can be more clearly identified.