Developing asymmetric breast tissue. Asymmetries that turn out to be summation artifact are benign (BI-RADS 2). (2017). (2019). Breast mammogram shows Mass: What to do next - Breast Cancer Sometimes, dense tissue can make it difficult to Breast tissue is composed of milk glands, milk ducts and supportive tissue (dense breast tissue), and fatty tissue (nondense breast tissue). During a biopsy, a You may simply have more tissue in one breast than another (global asymmetry), or in one spot (focal nodular asymmetry). Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. In some instances, a developing cancer may be the cause. The next step may be a diagnostic mammogram. A breast self-exam is a screening technique you can do at home to check for breast lumps. Changes to look out for include: A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast, which can test for any abnormalities, including lumps. These have a slightly higher risk 12% of cancer. A focal asymmetry is seen in two images, but lacks the outward border or a mass. April 2023 . doi:10.21037/abs-20-86, Malik N, Lad S, Seely JM, Schweitzer ME. government site. A mammogram or breast cancer screening may show asymmetrical breast size or density. When asymmetry occurs, it leads to a question: is this normal for that person? This is called a screening mammogram. Therefore, provided there are no associated clinical abnormalities or suspicious changes on mammography, it is typically benign and is given BI-RADS 2 category. Asymmetries in Mammography - PubMed In most cases, the breasts are generally symmetric in their density and architecture, but sometimes a report may reveal asymmetric density, which is common and usually noncancerous. 3. Having dense breasts inherently increases the risk for breast cancer by two to four times. Although dense breast tissue is typically as healthy as less dense breast tissue, a mammogram result may suggest a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer. However, while it is usually completely normal and harmless, it can occasionally lead to a breast cancer diagnosis, so it is essential to follow through with any recommended additional testing. During screening mammography, asymmetries discovered that are not summation artifacts require further evaluation, such as diagnostic mammography, sonography, breast magnetic resonance imaging, or biopsy.
