Discrimination and inequality are not words usually heard around the issue of breast density, but we have to agree with Dr. Paula Gordon, who in her latest presentation https://youtu.be/7uFksz6_4Zk stated that women with dense breasts are discriminated against.

Let’s explore.

1.Women with dense breasts are discriminated against based on the province they live in

Currently, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and Alberta directly notify ALL women of their breast density, after a screening mammogram.

As of this moment, ON, SK, NL, and QC are not sharing potentially lifesaving information with ALL women having a screening mammogram.  Ontario, Newfoundland, and Saskatchewan are only directly telling women in the highest category. If you live in one of these provinces, you are being denied every woman’s right to protect herself from possible harm. A woman cannot make informed healthcare decisions when she is not told her medical information. The lack of information denies women a chance for risk mitigation measures, such as supplemental screening, changing lifestyle factors to reduce risk and diligent monitoring of breast changes. This lack of information can result in a later diagnosis, reducing chances for survival. ON, SK, NL have indicated they are committed to informing all women and we hope plans will be implemented soon. In QC, the information will only be put in a woman’s online portal, but women will not be told directly.

2.Women with dense breasts are discriminated against based on Canadian Task Force guidelines and provincial breast screening program policies

Provincial breast screening programs fail to acknowledge that women with dense breasts (Category C and D) are above average risk. They have an increased breast cancer risk and a second significant risk of cancer being masked by dense tissue. Since 1976, it has been known that density increases breast cancer risk and since the mid-90s, it has been known that mammograms are not enough for women with dense breasts; they can benefit from supplementary screening.

However, the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, a panel of 14 members that does not include any breast cancer screening experts, has advised against supplemental screening for women with dense breasts; it does not recognize that they are higher than average risk. As a result, provincial screening programs continue to treat women with dense breasts as though they are at average risk when they are not. As well, breast density is now known to be a more prevalent risk factor than family history. Provinces default to flawed guidelines even though lives are unnecessarily lost as a result.

3. Women with dense breasts are being discriminated against because of gender

According to governments, such as Quebec, it is harmful to inform women of their breast density because it can create anxiety for women. If you tell women they have dense breasts, some women may seek supplementary screening. Any screening test can have a false alarms. A suspicious finding may even prompt a needle biopsy, but these are non-invasive, done quickly and inexpensively with local anesthetic.  The anxiety argument is paternalistic. Anxiety does not prevent people from being told that their blood pressure or cholesterol level is high. Women can tolerate transient anxiety. There is research that shows women would prefer the short-term anxiety of a false alarm over the prospect of missing a cancer. It is unfortunate that the concern about anxiety is given greater weight than a later stage diagnosis that holds a poorer prognosis.

4.Women with dense breasts who are diagnosed with cancer are being discriminated against

Women with breast cancer who have dense breasts are often diagnosed when their cancers are larger, and more often spread to lymph nodes; they are not eligible for the less aggressive treatment offered to women whose cancers are diagnosed early. And because they are diagnosed later, they have a worse prognosis.

Women with dense breasts, who are not told they have dense breasts before or at time of diagnosis are also discriminated against because they are not warned of their increased risk of recurrence. This can impact their treatment and prognosis. Women diagnosed with cancer in dense breasts need to know so they can advocate for MRI to ensure no additional tumors are hidden before deciding on lumpectomy vs. mastectomy.  It is also important to check the other breast for hidden cancer(s).

As well, women with dense breasts and cancer are at a higher risk of a second cancer. If they know they have dense breasts they have a chance to push for an ultrasound or MRI in addition to follow-up mammograms. Women in Canada with dense breasts and cancer are usually just offered mammograms. However, the American College of Radiology now recommends that women with cancer and dense breasts have annual MRIs. Women who’ve had breast cancer are at higher risk of it coming back in the same breast if they have dense tissue. Women with high density have a much greater risk of local recurrence compared with women with the least dense breasts. Women need to be aware of this information so they can be vigilant, access the most effective screening and advocate if necessary.

Every woman in Canada has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Withholding information from women by health authorities denies a woman’s right to protect herself from possible harm.