Many Women May Require Additional Screening for Breast Cancer Amid Access Challenges

Recent discussions highlight that approximately 50% of women with dense breast tissue might benefit from supplementary screening methods to detect breast cancer early. Breast density, which refers to the proportion of fibroglandular tissue in the breast, can obscure tumors on standard mammograms, making cancer harder to detect. While legislation in some states mandates that women are informed about their breast density, access to further imaging like MRI or ultrasound remains inconsistent and often out-of-pocket, posing barriers for many women.

In 2020, Dr. Shoshana Hallowell, a breast surgeon from Michigan, was diagnosed with breast cancer and recognized the importance of personalized screening. Her sister, who had dense breasts and an earlier normal mammogram, was later diagnosed with a tumor only detected via MRI, illustrating the limitations of mammography alone in detecting cancer in dense tissue.

Research indicates that while about 40% of women over 40 have heterogeneously dense breasts and 10% have extremely dense breasts, traditional mammograms detect approximately 90% of cancers in women with fatty tissue, but only about 50% in women with dense tissue. The FDA has recently updated standards requiring that women be notified of breast density, emphasizing the need for potential additional screenings.

Experts recommend that Women with dense breasts consider supplemental imaging, especially if they are at elevated risk, which can include ultrasounds, MRIs, or emerging methods like contrast-enhanced mammography. These additional tests can significantly improve cancer detection rates and lead to earlier treatment, reducing mortality.

However, coverage for these screenings varies and often incurs out-of-pocket expenses. Michigan is one of the states without insurance mandates for supplemental screening, creating disparities in access. Advocacy groups and healthcare providers stress the importance of equitable policies, education on breast density, and awareness of personal risk.

To combat these issues, some women, like those supported by nonprofit organizations such as Operation Breast Density, are receiving educational resources and financial assistance for access to comprehensive imaging. Early detection through tailored screening approaches remains a key strategy in reducing breast cancer mortality.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-roughly-women-extra-screening-breast.html