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Are You Dense? Exposing the best-kept secret

Early Matters

Stage of Tumor at Discovery Influences Prognosis

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Early Matters

Tumor Size, Nodal Status and Grade Influence Survival

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Early Matters

Reducing Advanced Disease is a Predictor of Reducing Breast Cancer Mortality

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Early Matters

Average-Risk Women & High-Risk Women w/ Dense Breasts have an Equal Chance of Having Cancer Masked on Mammography

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11th Annual For the Girls & Guys Brunch, Sunday, October 18, 2026, 11:30am, Grand Oak Villa, Watertown, CT, with guest speaker Abbie Paklos. Buy tickets on Eventbrite (opens in a new tab)

Are You Dense on PBS!

Check out the info on the PBS Special on breast density (opens in a new tab)

National Dense Breast Disclosure Law – effective 9/10/2024

6/18/2024 - Hartford, CT. The Are You Dense Foundation is proud to confirm the National Dense Breast Disclosure Law on September 10, 2024 at the Connecticut Legislative Office Building. This groundbreaking law aims to empower women by ensuring they receive crucial information about their breast density during mammography screenings.

Connecticut is taking the lead in championing breast density awareness, recognizing the importance of transparency and informed decision-making for women's well-being. The National Dense Breast Disclosure Law requires healthcare providers to inform patients about their breast density during mammography screenings. By providing this vital information, women can better understand their individual risk factors and seek appropriate medical care. Together, we will celebrate this historic moment and the power of knowledge in women's healthcare decisions.

This event marks a significant milestone in women's health. According to co-founder and executive director Joe Cappello, "this law is a bold step and implementing it is expected to set a national precedent... in September, this law will become effective nationwide, ensuring that women across the country have access to this essential information. This law showcases Connecticut's commitment to women's health and its determination to make a positive impact on a national scale. By raising awareness about breast density and empowering women with knowledge, lives can be saved and the overall well-being of women can be improved."

This event is welcome to the public to attend. September 10, 2024 (11am - 1pm) at the Connecticut Legislative Office Building 300 Capitol Ave #5100, 2nd Floor, Hartford, CT. There will be guest speakers and a light lunch.

Are You Dense Snow Globes

Meet Hope, the polar bear in our limited edition snow globe, shown with its “In honor of” and “In memory of” cards.

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What's New?

Nancy's Story

“On February 3, 2004, I was diagnosed with Stage 3c breast cancer six weeks after receiving a “normal” mammography report. Less than 48% of women with Stage 3c breast cancer are alive after five years.”

– Nancy M. Cappello, Ph. D.

Read Nancy's Story
Dr. Nancy M. Cappello

Are You Dense? Fact #1: Breast density is one of the strongest predictors of the failure of mammography screening to detect cancer.

Are You Dense? Fact #2: Two-thirds of pre-menopausal women and 40% of post-menopausal women have dense breast tissue.

Are You Dense? Fact #3: Adding more sensitive tests to mammography significantly increase detection of invasive cancers that are small and node negative.

Are You Dense? Fact #4: American College of Radiology describes women with "Dense Breast Tissue" as having a higher than average risk of Breast Cancer.

Are You Dense? Fact #5: While a mammogram detects 98% of cancers in women with fatty breasts, it finds only 48% in women with dense breasts.

Are You Dense? Fact #6: A woman at average risk and a woman at high risk have an EQUAL chance of having their cancer masked by mammogram.

Are You Dense? Fact #7: Women with dense breasts who had breast cancer have a four times higher risk of recurrence than women with less-dense breasts.

Are You Dense? Fact #8: A substantial proportion of Breast Cancer can be attributed to high breast density alone.

Are You Dense? Fact #9: Cancer turns up five times more often in women with extremely dense breasts than those with the most fatty tissue.

Are You Dense? Fact #10: There are too many women who are unaware of their breast density, believe their “Happy Gram” when it reports no significant findings and are at risk of receiving a later stage cancer diagnosis.