Requires biopsy 6 known biopsy proven malignancy

Requires biopsy
6 Known biopsy-proven malignancy
(cancer)
Biopsy confirms presence of
cancer before treatment begins
BI-RADS also includes four categories of breast density that may be
reported. The radiologist who reads the mammogram chooses the
category that best describes the level of breast density seen on the
mammogram film. The categories, from the least amount of breast
density to the highest, are as follows:

The breasts are almost entirely fatty

There are scattered areas of dense glandular tissue and
fibrous connective tissue (together known as fibroglandular density)


The breasts are heterogeneously dense, which means they have
more of these areas of fibroglandular density. This may make it
hard to see small masses in the breast tissue on a mammogram.

The breasts are extremely dense, which makes it hard to see
tumors in the breast tissue on a mammogram.
Many states in the U.S. Exit Disclaimer have enacted laws requiring
mammography providers to tell women if they have dense breasts
(i.e., breasts that are heterogeneously or extremely dense on a
mammogram) and to inform them of risks associated with having
dense breasts. In addition to making mammograms harder to read,
dense breasts are a risk factor for breast cancer.
How much does a mammogram cost?
Insurance plans governed by the federal Affordable Care Act must
cover screening mammography as a preventive benefit every 1–2
years for women age 40 and over without requiring copayments,
coinsurance, or deductibles. In addition, many states require that
Medicaid and public employee health plans cover screening
mammography. Women should contact their mammography facility or
health insurance company for confirmation of the cost and coverage.
Medicare pays for annual screening mammograms for all female
Medicare beneficiaries who are age 40 or older. Medicare will also pay
for one baseline mammogram for female beneficiaries between the
ages of 35 and 39. There is no deductible requirement for this benefit.
Information about coverage of mammograms is available on
the Medicare website or through the Medicare Hotline at 1–800–
MEDICARE (1–800–633–4227). For the hearing impaired, the telephone
number is 1–877–486–2048.
Women who need a diagnostic mammogram should check with their
health insurance provider about coverage.
How can uninsured or low-income women obtain a
free or low-cost screening mammogram?

Some state and local health programs and employers provide
mammograms free or at low cost. For example, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) coordinates the National Breast and
Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. This program provides
screening services, including clinical breast exams and mammograms,
to low-income, uninsured women throughout the United States and in
several U.S. territories. Contact information for local programs is
available on the CDC website or by calling 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–
232–4636).