Yes. Though both 2D and 3D mammograms can miss cancers in dense breasts, mammograms are still helpful. Some cancers will only be seen on a mammogram (and won’t be seen on Ultrasound or possibly even on MRI).
For example, even in dense breasts, mammograms will show calcifications (white specks like salt crystals, see Figure below), which are seen better on mammograms than on Ultrasound. About half of all breast cancers have calcifications. However, most calcifications seen on a mammogram are not due to cancer.
Many studies have shown that finding early stage cancers on a mammogram reduces deaths from breast cancer.
Mammograms Show About Half of Early Breast Cancers Even in Dense Breasts
This mammogram of a woman with dense breasts shows a group of calcifications (white specks that are like salt crystals within the red ovals). This patient was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer (“invasive” means it has spread to surrounding breast tissue).
Learn More:
- 5 Facts Every Woman Should Know
- Video Series: Let’s Talk About Dense Breasts
- Patient Risk Checklist (print)
- Patient Questions and Answers