Shots – Health News
Updated September 11, 202411:20 AM ET
By Yuki Noguchi
A radiologist uses a magnifying glass to check mammograms for breast cancer. Breast density is a risk factor for cancer.
Damian Dovarganes/AP
Nearly half of women over 40 have what doctors consider dense breast tissue, which increases their risk of cancer, yet until now, few are told what their diagnosis might mean, or what they should do. But as of this week, patients with dense breasts will get more guidance after a mammogram about their risks, thanks to a new requirement adopted by the federal Food and Drug Administration this week.
The breast is made up of things like glands and fibrous connective tissue. The more of that — as opposed to fat — is in the breast, the denser it is, and the higher the risk of developing cancer.
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