Fibrous tissue that provides support for the glandular tissue of the breasts is termed
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Breasts contain glandular tissue, fibrous connective tissue, and
fatty breast tissue. Breast density is a term that describes the relative amount of these different types of breast tissue as seen on a
mammogram. Dense breasts have relatively high amounts of glandular tissue and fibrous connective tissue and relatively low amounts of fatty breast tissue. Yes, dense breasts are common. Nearly half of all women who are 40 and older who get
mammograms are found to have dense breasts. Breast density is often inherited, but other factors can influence it. Dense breast tissue cannot be felt by a woman, such as during a breast self-exam, or by her doctor during a
clinical breast exam. Only a radiologist looking at a mammogram can tell if a woman has dense breasts. Dense breasts are sometimes called mammographically dense breasts. How is breast density categorized in a mammogram report?Doctors use the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) to classify breast density. This system, developed by the American College of Radiology, helps doctors interpret and report back mammogram findings. Doctors who review mammograms are called radiologists. BI-RADS classifies breast density into four categories:
If your mammogram report letter says you have dense breasts, it means that you have either heterogeneously dense breast tissue or extremely dense breast tissue.  The four breast density categories are shown in this image. Breasts can be almost entirely fatty (A), have scattered areas of dense fibroglandular breast tissue (B), have many areas of glandular and connective tissue (C), or be extremely dense (D). Breasts are classified as “dense” if they fall in the heterogeneously dense (C) or extremely dense (D) categories. Does having dense breast tissue affect a mammogram?Dense breasts can make a mammogram more difficult to interpret. That's because dense breast tissue and some abnormal breast changes, such as calcifications and tumors, both appear as white areas in the mammogram, whereas fatty tissue appears as dark areas. As a result, mammography is less sensitive in women with dense breasts—that is, it is more likely to miss cancer. Women with dense breasts may be called back for follow-up testing more often than women with fatty breasts. Are dense breasts a risk factor for breast cancer?Dense breasts are not considered an abnormal breast condition or a disease. However, dense breasts are a risk factor for breast cancer. That is, women with dense breasts have a higher risk of breast cancer than women with fatty breasts. This risk is separate from the effect of dense breasts on the ability to read a mammogram. In most states, mammography providers are required to inform women if they have dense breasts. A United States map showing information about specific state legislation is available from DenseBreast-info.org. Should women with dense breasts have additional screening for breast cancer?The value of additional, or supplemental, imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI to screen for breast cancer in women with dense breasts is not yet clear, according to the Recommendation Statement on Breast Cancer Screening by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Most organizations in the United States do not recommend supplemental imaging for women with dense breasts, as noted in this table of breast cancer screening guidelines compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Talk with your doctor or nurse to learn what is recommended for you, based on your personal medical history and family medical history. Are breast cancer patients with dense breasts more likely to die from breast cancer? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});No. Research has found that breast cancer patients who have dense breasts are no more likely to die from breast cancer than breast cancer patients who have fatty breasts, after accounting for other health factors and tumor characteristics. Questions to consider asking your doctor or nurse if you have dense breastsAsk these questions to get information that’s specific to you, based on your personal medical history:
Are there clinical trials for women with dense breasts?Yes, there are ongoing and completed clinical trials related to dense breasts that are studying better ways to detect breast cancer in women with dense breasts. You can also contact NCI’s Cancer Information Service to get tailored clinical trial searches related to breast density and breast cancer screening. What are researchers studying about the relationship between breast density and breast cancer?
NCI’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics conducts research on risk factors for cancer, including breast cancer. NCI's Division of Cancer Prevention supports research on cancer screening and risk factors, including breast density, such as this clinical trial for women with dense breasts. NCI’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences supports research such as the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) Breast Working Group. CISNET is a consortium of NCI-sponsored investigators conducting simulation modeling to improve our understanding of the impact of prevention, screening, and treatment on population trends in incidence and mortality. What is the part of the breast that provides support for the glandular tissue?Stroma - This is the supporting framework of the breast around the parenchyma. Fibrous stroma – This gives rise to septa called suspensory ligaments of Cooper, which separates lobes and suspends the mammary gland from the pectoral fascia.
What is glandular tissue in breast?Glandular tissue is the part of the breast that makes milk, called the lobes. The tubes that carry milk to the nipple are called ducts. Together, fibrous and glandular tissue are called fibroglandular tissue.
What is supportive breast tissue?Breast density is about tissue
Glandular tissue is made up of ducts and the milk glands (called lobules). Fibrous tissue is the supportive tissue of the breast. It holds the glandular tissues in place. Along with fatty tissue, it gives the breasts their shape and size. It's also called connective tissue.
Where is the majority of the glandular tissue of the breast found?These lobes surround the nipple like spokes on a wheel. Glandular tissue (lobules): These small sections of tissue found inside lobes have tiny bulblike glands at the end that produce milk. Milk (mammary) ducts: These small tubes, or ducts, carry milk from glandular tissue (lobules) to nipples.
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