South Australian women will soon be able to learn their individual breast density at all 11 BreastScreen SA clinics after a successful study found women had a strong preference to be more informed as part of their regular screening.
The six-month study began in February 2022 and involved clinics at Arndale, Hyde Park, and a Mobile Screening Unit visiting outer metropolitan Adelaide.
As part of the study, clients who screened at the participating clinics received information about breast density and were informed of their individual breast density as part of their 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, with just two per cent preferring not to be told as part of their future appointments.
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.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in South Australian women, with more than 1,400 women diagnosed every year.
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.
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.
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.
BreastScreen Australia does not currently report on breast density across all states and territories but supports research, discussion, and public awareness of breast density.
For more information, go to www.breastscreen.sa.gov.au.
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Attributable to Chris Picton
For South Australian women, knowing their breast density will inform decisions around appropriate care and individual risk factors.
This study was the first time that our population-based breast cancer screening program in South Australia has informed women of their individual breast density.
Following strong support, BreastScreen SA will now provide breast density reporting as part of their standard process, right across South Australia, from next month.
I encourage South Australian women to continue to participate in this important screening program.
Attributable to BreastScreen SA Clinical Director, Associate Professor Michelle Reintals
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.
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.
BreastScreen SA is grateful to the clients who supported the study and have helped to shape the future of breast cancer screening for women in South Australia.
Attributable to BreastScreen SA Program Director, Niamh Wade
BreastScreen SA provides free breast cancer screening to around 95,000 South Australian women every year.
To measure breast density during a regular screening, we use an automated software program, called Volpara, which doesn’t require any additional time.
A breast screen can take as little as 15 minutes, and it could save your life because the earlier a cancer is discovered, the greater the chance it can be treated successfully.
