Taking Charge of Your Breast Health: What Every Woman Should Know
Last updated on September 30, 2025
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to pause, reflect, and make sure your preventive screenings are up to date. For many women in Denver and across Colorado, that starts with a mammogram. But for nearly half of women, the results include one unfamiliar phrase: “You have dense breasts.”
It’s an important detail, but one that often raises more questions than it answers. What exactly does breast density mean? Does it change your risk? Should you ask for 3D imaging or an ultrasound?
As a family physician practicing concierge medicine in Cherry Creek, I help women navigate these questions every day. My goal is to take the guesswork out of breast cancer screening and help you build a plan that’s evidence-based, personal, and stress-free.
Understanding Breast Density
Breast density describes how much fibrous and glandular tissue is present compared to fat in your breasts. Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram, the same color as many early cancers, making it more difficult for radiologists to detect small or subtle changes.
Colorado requires that patients be informed if their mammogram shows dense breast tissue. It’s a good step toward awareness, but many women are unsure of what to do next. Dense tissue doesn’t mean something is wrong; it just means that certain imaging technologies work better than others to ensure nothing is missed.
That’s where 3D mammography, now the standard of care, plays an important role.
Why 3D Mammography Has Become the Standard
For years, 2D mammograms were the primary screening tool for breast cancer. While effective, these two-dimensional images can overlap layers of tissue, occasionally obscuring early signs of disease.
3D mammography (tomosynthesis) changes that. It captures multiple images from different angles and reconstructs a three-dimensional view of the breast. This provides radiologists with a clearer view through layers of tissue, enabling them to identify abnormalities earlier.
Studies have shown that 3D mammography:
Detects more invasive cancers, often at earlier stages
Reduces the number of unnecessary callbacks
Provides greater accuracy for women with dense breasts
If you are scheduling a mammogram in the Denver area, ask whether the imaging center offers 3D mammography. It’s now widely available and recommended as the current standard for breast cancer screening.
When to Consider Adding Ultrasound or MRI
While 3D mammography is an excellent foundation, some women benefit from additional imaging.
Ultrasound is helpful for women with dense breasts because it uses sound waves, not X-rays, to distinguish between benign cysts and solid masses.
MRI is typically reserved for those at higher risk, such as women with strong family histories, previous abnormal findings, or known genetic mutations.
At Lindsey Cassidy, MD & Associates, I use a Breast Cancer Risk Assessment to determine the right mix of screenings for each patient. This includes reviewing your mammogram results, breast density, family history, and other risk factors. The goal is to ensure your screening plan is tailored, not generic.
Managing Common Worries
“What if I get called back?”
Getting called back after a mammogram doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong. In most cases, it simply means the radiologist wants a closer look. Fortunately, 3D mammography significantly reduces the number of unnecessary callbacks, resulting in fewer false alarms and greater peace of mind for women.
“Why do results take so long?”
Waiting for results can be stressful, especially when imaging centers are busy. Through our concierge care model, I help patients schedule 3D mammograms in the Denver and Cherry Creek area and ensure results are reviewed quickly, often within the same week, so you’re not left in limbo.
Getting Ready for Your Appointment
A little preparation can make your mammogram easier and more productive. Before your screening, be sure to bring:
Prior mammogram images or reports (if done elsewhere)
Details about your family history of breast or ovarian cancer
Any biopsy or pathology results
A current medication list
Notes or questions you’d like to discuss about your breast health
This information helps your care team interpret your results more accurately, ensuring that nothing important is overlooked.
Our Approach to Breast Cancer Prevention
At Lindsey Cassidy, MD & Associates, we take a proactive and personalized approach to breast health. As part of the Ms.Medicine network, our focus is on preventive care that prioritizes time, attention, and education.
Our process includes:
A thorough Breast Cancer Risk Assessment
Concierge imaging orders for 3D mammography and ultrasound
Referrals to trusted imaging partners throughout the Denver area
Same-week result reviews whenever possible
Clear, direct communication so you always understand your next steps
Every woman deserves a personalized screening plan tailored to her unique body, medical history, and comfort level.
Download the Ms.Medicine Breast Health Guide
Take your knowledge a step further with the Ms.Medicine Guide to Breast Health.
This free, comprehensive resource explains breast changes, risk factors, and the latest screening tools—helping you make confident, informed choices at every age.
Download the guide here →
(Available as a free PDF from Ms.Medicine’s official site.)
Taking the Next Step
If you’re between 40 and 74, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time to review your screening routine. Whether you’re due for your next mammogram, have questions about a dense breast report, or want to discuss whether ultrasound or MRI might be appropriate, I’m here to help.
Call Lindsey Cassidy, MD & Associates in Denver today at 720-805-0720 or visit www.lindseycassidymd.com to schedule your Breast Cancer Risk Assessment. Together, we’ll create a plan that supports early detection, minimizes worry, and empowers you to take charge of your health.
