There’s a Big Change Coming to Mammogram Results — What to Know About Breast Density

The FDA now requires those getting mammograms to receive notice about breast density

Big changes are coming to mammogram results — and it could help with screening breast cancer.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated that starting Tuesday, Sept. 10, people will get results regarding their breast density as part of mammogram screenings.

Thanks to the Mammography Quality Standards Act, people receiving mammograms will get more information, which could put patients at risk in detecting breast cancer. The FDA will require facilities to inform their patients about their breast density and what their level of breast density could mean in terms of breast cancer risks.

Dense breasts are common in women over 40 years old, according to the National Cancer Institute. They could lead to difficulty in detecting breast cancer in a mammogram, hiding possible lumps and tumors from being detected. Dense breasts can also "raise the risk of developing cancer," the FDA notes.

Related: Women Should Now Be Screened for Breast Cancer at Age 40, U.S. Task Force Says

Breast density will be sorted into the following categories during the examination: "The breasts are almost entirely fatty"; "There are scattered areas of fibroglandular density"; "The breasts are heterogeneously dense, which may obscure small masses"; and "The breasts are extremely dense, which lowers the sensitivity of mammography."

Dr. Elizabeth Comen, a breast cancer oncologist from NYU Langone Health, told CBS News that the density of breasts can't be determined through self-examination.

"It is not something that you can see or feel or touch," Comen said. "It is something that a radiologist will tell you based on what they see on a mammogram."

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Though the next steps following a screening regarding breast density have yet to be determined by the FDA, it is recommended that patients speak with their providers about their own risk and next steps.

In April, new guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended women start getting mammograms at age 40 to detect breast cancer.

Previous guidelines from 2016 suggested waiting until age 50 unless you have a family history — then you should start between 40 and 49 years old.

The American Cancer Society also recommends getting an MRI in addition to a mammogram if you are at high risk for breast cancer.

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