Breast Density

Breast Density Care at UVM Health

Breast density refers to the ratio of fatty tissue to dense tissue in the breast, as seen on a mammogram. Dense breast tissue has more connective and glandular tissues, like milk glands, than fatty tissue. Having dense breasts is normal and common, occurring in up to 50% of women.

Having dense breast tissue may put you at a slightly increased risk of breast cancer. Additionally, dense breast tissue has a lighter look than fatty breast tissue on mammography, as do many types of breast cancer. For that reason, the presence of dense breast tissue may make detecting breast cancer more challenging on a mammogram.

A medical provider holds up results from a breast density scan.

Why Choose UVM Health?

University of Vermont Health offers you the full range of diagnostic breast imaging services, from annual mammograms to advanced breast imaging exams that can provide more peace of mind for women with dense breasts. Our breast radiologists specialize in interpreting breast imaging exams, ensuring that you receive accurate results and, when necessary, recommendations for additional imaging — all provided by a knowledgeable expert.

We offer comprehensive breast imaging services to meet your needs, including:

Experience that matters: We use leading-edge digital equipment to perform the highest volume of exams in our service area.
Outstanding clinical expertise: Our dedicated breast imaging physicians work closely with skilled mammography technologists, breast ultrasound sonographers and breast MRI technologists to produce the highest quality diagnostic images.
Latest 3D mammography: We offer state-of-the-art 3D mammography (tomosynthesis), an X-ray technology that offers greater detail than traditional 2D digital mammography which improves cancer detection particularly in dense breast tissue.

Evaluating Dense Breasts

Breast density is the most common reason for a cancer not being seen on mammography. The fibrous connective and glandular tissue of dense breasts may make it more difficult for a radiologist to see subtle early changes via standard mammography screening.

Dense breasts cannot be felt by you or determined through physical exam at your provider's office. Mammography provides information that you have dense breasts.

At UVM Health, our breast imaging radiologists may suggest additional breast imaging tests if your screening mammography reveals you have dense breasts.

Recommendations for Supplementary Screening

No strict medical guidelines exist for additional breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts. If you have dense breasts and/or other risk factors for breast cancer, such as family history, discuss your risk with your provider. Having this discussion with your provider will help guide decisions about extra screening tests and determine the best imaging options for you.

We perform the full range of advanced breast imaging tests for the highest level of cancer detection. For the complete and thorough evaluation of women with dense breasts, our specially trained breast imaging team performs:

Please be aware that some supplementary screenings for women with dense breasts or those at higher risk for breast cancer may not be covered by insurance. Talk with your provider and check with your insurance company to help you make the best-informed decisions about breast cancer screening.

Requesting Your Images

Use the Radiology Image Record Request form to request your imaging records.

When your request has been completed and ready for review, you will receive an email from Nuance Powershare with instructions on how to create an account. Additionally, you will receive a MyChart message containing your token code to access your images.

Awards & Certifications

American College of Radiology

UVM Medical Center’s breast MRI and breast ultrasound programs meet the rigorous accreditation requirements of the American College of Radiology, ensuring excellence in everything we do, from performing safe operations to delivering outstanding patient care.

Of particular note, University of Vermont Medical Center’s Department of Breast Imaging has earned an American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation. This highly coveted accreditation is awarded to centers that achieve rigorous requirements of the profession in all breast imaging modalities.

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

Many of our staff MRI technologists hold credentials from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). This national credentialing body recognizes qualified imaging professionals who meet the highest standards of breast MR imaging practices in the care of patients.