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Under Review

7/29/21, 4:17 PM

Kevin Liao

A 51-year-old female presents to follow up after having her first mammogram done, which found that she has dense breasts but was otherwise negative. Reviewing her history, she has no other risk factors predisposing her to breast cancer. She asks you about what kind of screening she would need in the future based on this finding, and you explain that:

She should no longer get routine mammograms

She should have supplemental whole-breast-ultrasound and MRI with her mammograms

She should continue getting routine mammograms only

She should have alternate screening such as breast tomosynthesis or thermography

Correct Answer:

C

Explanation:

None of the major breast cancer screening guidelines currently advise that dense breasts be used as the sole factor for screening beyond mammography. The ACOG opinion recommends against any routine use of alternative or adjunctive tests. The USPSTF also concludes that evidence is insufficient to support the use of these other methods for someone who has dense breasts but otherwise negative screening mammograms.

Sources:

Freer, MD. Breast density and screening for breast cancer. Waltham, MA: UpToDate Inc. https://www.uptodate.com (Accessed on July 29, 2021.)

USPSTF. Breast cancer: Screening. Recommendation: Breast Cancer: Screening | United States Preventive Services Taskforce. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/breast-cancer-screening. Published January 11, 2016. Accessed July 29, 2021.

“ACOG Committee Opinion No. 593: Management of Women with Dense Breasts Diagnosed by Mammography.” Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953) 123.4 (2014): 910–911. Web.