BreastScreen SA offers breast density measuring as part of regular cancer screening

BreastScreen SA provides free breast screens every two years to women over 40, primarily aged 50 to 74 years, with the aim of diagnosing breast cancer at an early stage, before it can be felt. About 95,000 people are screened each year.

BreastScreen Australia does not currently report on breast density across all states and territories but supports research, discussion, and public awareness of breast density.

How seriously should I take this screening?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in South Australian women, with more than 1400 females diagnosed annually.

There are four categories of breast density and around half of women are regarded as having dense breast tissue, which has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer.

BreastScreen SA clinical director, Associate Professor Michelle Reintals, said breasts are made up of two main types of tissue - fatty and fibroglandular tissue - and while fat appears dark on a screening mammogram, glandular tissue appears 'dense' or white, as does breast cancer.

She said higher breast density has been linked to an increased risk factor of breast cancer, and it can reduce the visibility of breast cancers on a mammogram.

"While it is common and normal to have high breast density, this knowledge is important as it can inform decisions around breast care and increase breast awareness."

A software program called Volpara is used to measure breast density during a regular screening, and does not take any more time to complete. A breast screen can take as little as 15 minutes.

SA Health said it is important to recognise that regardless of an individual's breast density, mammography is still the best breast cancer screening test, with regular screening reducing the chance of dying from breast cancer by up to 40 per cent.

More information about the screenings can be found at www.breastscreen.sa.gov.au.

The study involved clinics who were screened at Arndale, Hyde Park, and a Mobile Screening Unit visiting outer metropolitan Adelaide and went for six months during 2022.

As part of the study, those clients received information about breast density and were informed of their own scores as part of the screening results. They were then invited to provide their feedback via an optional and anonymous online survey.

The survey found more than 90 per cent of respondents would like to continue to be informed of their breast density. It also found 65 per cent of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that knowing their breast density meant they felt more informed to make decisions regarding their breast care.