What are some of the challenges in reading mammograms and why are cancers sometimes missed during mammography screening?
The breast is not just a mound of fat. It is a “gland” that has a job to do – to make milk. The glandular tissue is made up of lobules that make milk and pipes called ducts that drain milk out through the nipple. On a mammogram, the glandular tissue in the breast looks “dense.” This means that it is hard to see through, making a cancer more difficult to detect. Some women have denser breasts than others. Dense breasts have more glandular and connective tissue and less fat tissue. Younger women tend to have denser breasts older women. Thinner women tend to have denser breasts than heavier women.
Related Questions
- The guidelines recommend MRI in addition to, not instead of, mammography. Why do women who get MRI screening still need to have annual mammograms?
- What are some of the challenges in reading mammograms and why are cancers sometimes missed during mammography screening?
- What percent of cancers are missed when reading mammograms?
