Disease-causing BRCA gene variants and dense breasts both increase the chances that a woman will get breast cancer. However, BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants put women at a much higher risk for getting breast cancer than the risk from having dense breasts.
Because BRCA gene carriers are more likely to get breast cancer at a younger age, they usually get a breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as part of their breast screening. In these women, breast screening should also start earlier, with MRI beginning at age 25 and mammography starting at age 30 or later.
MRI screening for women with BRCA variants is suggested whether or not they have dense breasts.
Learn More:
- 5 Facts Every Woman Should Know
- Video Series: Let’s Talk About Dense Breasts
- Patient Risk Checklist (print)
- Patient Questions and Answers