It sounds like your mammogram report mentioned "scattered areas of fibroglandular density" — which can feel alarming, but it simply describes the makeup of your breast tissue. It is not cancer. As a MyBCTeam member once shared, seeing unfamiliar words on a mammogram report can cause worry, even when no malignancy is found.
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It sounds like your mammogram report mentioned "scattered areas of fibroglandular density" — which can feel alarming, but it simply describes the makeup of your breast tissue. It is not cancer. As a MyBCTeam member once shared, seeing unfamiliar words on a mammogram report can cause worry, even when no malignancy is found.
Fibroglandular density is graded on a scale of A to D:
- A – Mostly fatty tissue, low density
- B – Mostly fatty with scattered dense areas (this is likely your result)
- C – More dense tissue than fatty tissue
- D – Extremely dense tissue
"Scattered areas" puts you at grade B, which is one of the most common results — about 80% of people fall in the B or C range. Given your history of DCIS treated with radiation and hormone therapy, it's especially important to keep up with regular mammograms and report any changes in how your breasts look or feel to your care team.
Dense breast tissue can appear white on a mammogram, similar to how cancer appears, which can sometimes make screening trickier. Your doctor may recommend additional imaging if needed based on your personal history and risk factors.
The good news is that mammograms are still effective even with some density present — staying consistent with screenings is key.
September 11
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