Understanding your breast density and cancer risk is key to determining the most effective screening tools for early detection.
At this year’s H.E.R. Summit, January Lopez, MD, medical director of breast imaging at the Hoag Breast Center, made one thing clear: breast cancer screening is not one-size-fits-all. With over 50,000 women screened annually across Hoag’s 11 Orange County imaging locations, Dr. Lopez and her team understand that effective screening requires a personalized approach based on two critical factors—breast density and individual cancer risk.
Dense breast tissue, which appears white on mammograms, can hide cancers that might otherwise be detected early. When breasts are made up of more than 50% dense tissue, standard mammography alone may not be sufficient. For women with dense breasts or higher cancer risk, additional screening tools like breast ultrasound or MRI can identify cancers that mammograms alone might miss.
Depending on your unique combination of risk and density, screening recommendations could include:
• Annual mammograms and breast MRI for women with a high risk of breast cancer
• Annual mammograms plus screening breast ultrasound for women with dense breasts and an average risk of cancer
• Annual mammograms alone provide excellent screening for women without dense breasts and an average risk of cancer
The most important guideline is to begin screening at the right time for you. While women with an average risk of cancer should begin screening at age 40, women considered high-risk are encouraged to start as early as 25. Whole-body scans—while a trending topic in preventive health—should never replace recommended breast imaging.
By familiarizing yourself with your risk and your breast density, you can partner with your physician to determine the best screening approach for you. Thanks to philanthropic support, Hoag is committed to ensuring every woman has access to early detection technology. Initiatives like the donor-funded Hoag Early Risk Assessment (HERA) Program can help women between the ages of 35 and 55 better understand their risk of breast cancer.
For information about how to support women’s health at Hoag, including breast cancer early detection, contact Jenn Brown, Executive Director of Development, Hoag Hospital Foundation, at Jennifer.Brown@hoag.org or 949-764-7454.
