What effect does mammographic breast density have on lesion detection in digital mammography?

Abstract

Effective detection of breast cancer using mammography is an important public health issue worldwide. Breasts that contain higher levels of fibroglandular compared with fatty tissue increase breast radio-opacity making it more difficult to differentiate between normal and abnormal findings. The higher prevalence of breast cancer amongst women with denser breasts demands the origination of effective solutions to manage this common radiographic appearance. This brief review considers the impact of higher levels of density on cancer detection and the importance of digital technology in possibly reducing the negative effects of increased density.