To continue to fulfill CCPF’s mission of early detection, CCPF has developed a NEW enhanced Pink Ribbon Breast MRI Program to provide financial assistance for patients who have dense breasts as determined by their mammogram and would benefit from a Breast MRI. Patients who meet all of the requirements and are at or below 400% of the current federal poverty guidelines will be eligible for funding.
Our Goal:
Our goal is to improve detection of breast cancer in patients who have dense breasts.
What does it mean to have dense breasts?
Dense breast tissue appears white on a mammogram. Cancer also appears white on a mammogram. Therefore, detecting a white cancerous spot in white tissue can be incredibly difficult. (See Figure 1)
Figure 1:
Left: Fatty tissue with cancerous mass (arrow)
Right: Dense tissue that appears the same color as the breast cancer. The cancer is masked by the dense tissue.
Dense breasts on a mammogram are the strongest independent risk factor for breast cancer with the exception of age and women who have a genetic risk according to the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR).
Why Breast MRI?
Mammography sensitivity in dense breasted women can be as low as 30-45%; whereas the sensitivity in less dense breasted women is closer to 98% according to the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR). For women who do NOT have dense breasts, the accuracy of a mammogram is much greater.
What you should know:
It is important that you continue to have your annual mammogram. Small calcifications represent non aggressive cancers or low grade cancers and may be seen only on mammography. Thoroughly read your mammogram report. If the report states that you have dense breasts, consider Breast MRI and apply for the Pink Ribbon Breast MRI Program.
