mammogram/ultrasound confusion

[ocean12]

A little bit about me-----I am 48 years old.  I had a complete hysterectomy in 2002.  I was on 1 mg of estrogen per day until my doctor changed my dose to 1/2 mg per day about 1 1/2 years ago. No family history of Breast cancer.

I have had routine mammograms every year since 35 and all were normal.  I went for my regular mammogram last week and received a call today that I have to have an ultrasound done because my density was 51-75%.  In the past the reports  either never mentioned density or sometimes referred as  25-50%, (I live in CT which is a state that is required to report density).   My question is what causes density to increase as I get older?    Also, I am taking less estrogen replacement then in the past so that should also reduce density and I have no ovaries.  Does an increase in density indicate breast changes that point towards cancer?  Very confusing?  Is this a red flag?

[japdip]

Thanks .... I'll be anxious to hear the results of your Ultrasound. I know that many Drs still use HRT but there is no recommendation as to using a low dose ..... the use remains to be a risk factor since the greater number of Breast Cancers are dependent upon hormones for growth.   Take care ....

[ocean12]

Thanks again. I will let you know how the ultrasound goes. I'm sorry to confuse you about the HRT. I was on 1 mg since 2002 and about 1 1/2 yrs ago I decreased to 1/2 mg.  it's such a tiny dose that the dr said it should not cause any increase in density. But you are right, density can fluctuate so I really have to stop getting nervous. Thanks again!!!!!!!

[japdip]

I re-read your original post and you did state that you have been on HRT since 2002 even though it has been a low dose.
I wish you well with the US this week and keep in mind that using mammogram and Ultrasound together is VERY common.   Regards .....

[ocean12]

Hi, thank you for the reply. I appreciate it.  After I spoke with two doctors about this, they both said that as you age, your density decreases as long as you are not on Hormone replacement.  It is not the norm to increase density for no reason, especially that I had a hysterectomy in 2002 and have no ovaries..  That's why none of this makes sense.  I am eager to have the ultrasound done this week.

Have a nice weekend.

[japdip]

As we age the density of the breast tissue does increase; it may seem odd but in younger women the breast tissue is quite dense as well. Mammograms are hardly ever used in younger women due to this fact. An increase in density only makes it more difficult for the test (mammogram) to "see" through the tissue. This is the reason for Ultrasound being ordered in women who do have dense breast tissue. It's more common than not that the two tests are used routinely. This also prevents numerous  
call-backs in many cases. So, it doesn't necessarily mean that cancer is more likely; just that it would be difficult to identify by mammogram alone.
Regards ....