What Does It Even Mean To Have Dense Breasts?

If you’re someone who practices breast self-awareness (BSA)—which should be every woman—then you’re likely ahead of many women when it comes to breast cancer prevention (kudos to you!).

While BSA is a great way to become familiar with what’s normal for your breasts—their size, shape and how they feel—it can’t exactly determine breast density (even though it seems like the kind of thing you should be able to sense). The only way to really know your breast density is with a mammogram.

So does that mean that you shouldn’t worry about it until you have your first screening? Not necessarily. Even if you don’t know their density, it’s still important to know what it can mean for your breast health now, and in the future. After all, it’s estimated that over 50% of U.S. women have dense breasts.

Here’s what you need to know:

What exactly is breast density?

It describes the different kinds of tissue found in your breasts, which includes fat, connective tissue, and milk ducts and lobules that together are called glandular tissue. A woman with dense breasts has a higher amount of glandular and connective tissue and a lower amount of fatty tissue.

Who is most likely to have dense breasts?

Breast density and size are often thought to go hand-in-hand. However, contrary to popular belief, breast density is often higher in women who have smaller breasts. It’s also important to note that breast density is far more common in younger women due to the natural process of losing density with age.

Why does breast density matter?

On its own, breast density doesn’t sound like anything too serious. However, when you consider the fact that having dense breasts can make you 5 times more likely to develop breast cancer; it becomes one of the most important factors of breast health.

Current statistics estimate that as many as 1/3 of women diagnosed with breast cancer had dense breasts. Even with alarming numbers like these, experts still don’t necessarily know why breast density impacts breast cancer risk.

Now let’s be clear, though, having dense breast tissue doesn’t mean that developing breast cancer is inevitable.

How will I know if I have dense breasts?

The thought of going to get a mammogram for the first time can be nerve-wracking enough, let alone preparing for the results afterward—especially if you don’t fully understand what they mean. Typically, when you receive your mammogram results, your breast density will be classified into one of the following groups:

·         Almost entirely fat (about 1 in 10 women)

·         Some dense areas: scattered areas of dense glandular and connective tissue (about 2 in 5 women)

·         Many dense areas: numerous areas of glandular and connective tissue (about 2 in 5 women)

·         Extremely dense: almost all glandular and connective tissue and little fat (about 1 in 10 women)

Furthermore, it’s important to remember that if you have dense breasts, this can make screening procedures, like digital mammograms, more challenging. That’s because abnormal growths and lumps don’t show up as clearly amongst dense tissue versus fatty tissue. But with new screening technology, like tomosynthesis, a form of 3D mammography, screening can be more effective than ever for women with dense breast tissue.

Should I get additional screenings?

The best place to start is by talking with your primary care provider. As the health expert that knows you, your family history and your overall health needs best, they can help to identify the best preventative and screening options for you.

For additional information and expert guidance, you can turn to the experts of GMC’s Gwinnett Breast Program. With the very best technological, diagnostic and treatment options available, you can count on GMC to provide an unmatched level of care at every stage of the healing process.

5 Breast Cancer Symptoms That Aren't Lumps

Overwhelmed by the thought of breast cancer? You’re not alone. For many women just hearing the term is enough to send them straight to stress city. And for good reason. Between all of the statistics, information and news, most women are left with more questions than answers.

Do antiperspirants really increase your risk? What about dairy products? Are lumps the only noticeable symptom? If you’ve ever asked questions like these, you’re definitely not the only one. So let’s clear up some of the confusion.

While lumps and other, noticeable breast changes may be the most common and most well-known symptoms, there are other subtle symptoms that don’t involve your breasts per se. Instead, you may notice changes in unexpected places throughout your body. But keep in mind, breast cancer isn’t the only condition—or the most common condition—that may be behind these changes:

   1. Your armpits: A bump in your armpit may seem harmless enough. It’s probably just irritation from your deodorant or from shaving, right? Actually, it may be an enlarged lymph node, which could be a rare sign of breast cancer.

   2. Your back: Persistent, nagging pain anywhere in your body can be cause for concern—back pain is no different. Because breast cancer can spread and cause discomfort along your spine, it may be the cause of chronic back pain.

   3. Your waist: When you’re actively trying to exercise and eat healthy, weight loss may be a welcomed result. But when unexplained weight lost and decreased appetite are unexpected, this could indicate a systemic change, like breast cancer.

   4. Your chest: Chest pain—regardless of the underlying cause—is always something to take note of. As one of the most likely places for advanced breast cancer to spread, your lungs may show symptoms like chest pain and/or shortness of breath.

   5. Your skin: It isn’t just skin cancer that can cause changes to your skin. In fact, inflammatory breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms, can cause red spots, bruises, even freckles. 

Treating the whole person.

Because cancer isn’t just physical condition—it’s mental, emotional and social—cancer care shouldn’t just treat the physical symptoms. At GMC’s Center for Cancer Care, every patient will receive the multi-faceted care they need to make every step of the cancer-healing journey a success.

7 Things You Really Shouldn’t Be Doing To Your Breasts

How often do you think about your breasts? Probably more than you’d care to admit. And when you do, chances are you’re focused more on how they look—hoping they were bigger, smaller, perkier, or fill in the blank—instead of how healthy they are. So regardless of how your breasts make you feel—feminine, athletic, sexy, insecure—the fact remains that we all need to focus more time and attention to what’s happening beneath the surface (in the glands, tissue and ducts).

But how do you pay more attention to something you can’t actually see? “Well, for starters, you practice healthy, proactive behaviors that help to prevent breast cancer, while also promoting overall health. This includes everything from eating anti-cancer foods (i.e. fruits and veggies, fiber-rich foods, and those with flavonoids and carotenoids), to drinking water and getting in daily activity,” says Debra Miller, MD, an oncologist with GMC’s Center for Cancer Care-Hamilton Mill.  

These health-filled behaviors are just half of the equation, though. There are also a surprising number of everyday things that may impact your breast health more than you thought. So, for the sake of your girls, make sure you’re mindful of these 7 things:

1.    Wearing the wrong bra. “First things first, though, let’s be clear that wearing the wrong bra doesn’t cause breast cancer,” emphasizes Dr. Miller. But that doesn’t mean you should continue wearing ill-fitting bras—which is the case for nearly 80% of women.

“Even though it seems harmless enough, wearing bras that are too small can restrict blood flow and lead to breast discomfort,” explains Dr. Miller. “On the other hand, wearing bras that are too big, or aren’t supportive, especially while exercising, can lead to a breakdown of connective tissue in your breasts and breast laxity.”

2.    Sleeping on your side or stomach. Even though the common saying may be to sleep like a log, a majority of Americans prefer to snuggle up in a side- or stomach-sleeping position.

“However, it’s important to note that sleeping on your stomach—with your chest pressed against the mattress for hours—is tough on your breasts,” notes Dr. Miller. And let’s not forget the effects of side sleeping as well, this can cause your breast ligaments to stretch over time.  

3.    Having a daily drink. If you stick to the recommended 1-drink-per-day rule, then you don’t necessarily have cause for concern here. However, if you’re drinking 2, 3 or more glasses of red wine in the name of getting ample resveratrol, it’s time to cut back.

“That’s because drinking 2-3 alcoholic beverages daily can increase your breast cancer risk by as much as 20%,” emphasizes Dr. Miller. “Plus, it’s not doing your liver, pancreas or blood pressure any favors, and can increase your risk for other cancers, too.”

4.    Removing hairs. Believe it or not, hairs can grow just about anywhere on your body—including your breasts. “Now as tempting as it may be to remove any solo hairs that pop-up, it’s important to resist the urge as tweezing, pulling or waxing hair from that highly-sensitive area may cause inflammation, irritation or ingrown hairs,” says Dr. Miller. “Plus you may notice the development of reactive nodules or lymph nodes as well.” So if you see a new hair, remember that it’s completely natural and leave it be, or reach out to a dermatologist to help safely remove it.

5.    Smoking. Given how bad smoking is all-around, you probably could’ve guessed that it’d be high up on the list of things to avoid when it comes to breast health. “But it isn’t just the fact that smoking increases your risk of lung cancer, heart disease and a host of other conditions, it’s also the fact that smoking promotes breast tenderness and increases your risk of breast cancer,” explains Dr. Miller. Oh, and let’s not forget that it can lead to premature breast sagging, thanks to a decrease in elastin.

6.    Consuming caffeine. There are a bunch of perks that daily cup of Joe offers—increased alertness, boosted energy and improved mood—but there are a few drawbacks as well. “For instance, if you’re a routine coffee drinker—or caffeine of any kind for that matter—you may be more likely to experience breast pain and tenderness due to cyst formation” notes Dr. Miller. Maybe it’s time to switch to herbal tea instead?

7.    Skipping the one-on-one time. No, we aren’t talking about alone time between you and significant other. Instead, we’re talking about taking some time each month for you and your breasts. As silly as it may sound, it’s important to take this time to do routine checks to monitor for any changes or abnormalities.

“Remember, you may be the first one to detect any changes in your breasts,” notes Dr. Miller. “Plus, studies have shown that applying pressure to your breasts can help to stimulate lymphatic blood flow, while also preventing the growth of cancer cells.”

In the event that you do find something abnormal—whether it’s a growth or lump, an abnormal sensation, changes to the texture or appearance of your skin or nipple—it’s essential to find expert care. And because cancer isn’t just a physical condition—it’s mental, emotional and social—cancer care shouldn’t just treat the physical symptoms. That’s why GMC’s Center for Cancer Careoffers every patient multi-faceted care to make every step of the cancer-healing journey a success.