S1 E02: My Density Matters with Leslie Ferris Yerger
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When a doctor says, “Everything looks clear. See you next year,” it is supposed to be the sound of relief. For Leslie Ferris Yerger, it was the beginning of a journey that changed her life.
Two months after receiving an all-clear mammogram, Leslie was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. The reason was something few women had ever been told about: dense breast tissue. What she discovered in the aftermath was not just a personal tragedy but a systemic problem hiding in plain sight.
From that moment, Leslie decided that no woman should ever be left in the dark about her breast density or her screening options. She founded My Density Matters, a nonprofit organization that empowers women with knowledge, advocacy tools, and hope.
What exactly is breast density, and why does it matter for screening and risk?
Leslie Ferris Yerger: Breast density is fibroglandular tissue in your breast. We all have it. It is the part that enables us to use our breasts for what they are really meant for: the lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. All of that looks white on a mammogram. The more of that you have in your breasts versus fat, the harder it is to find breast cancer on a mammogram.
Why is that? Because cancer looks white on a mammogram, and so does that fibroglandular tissue. It has a masking effect. It can obscure a white cancer mass because of your white dense breast tissue.
The other problem is that the higher your breast density, the more likely you are to develop breast cancer in the first place. It is kind of a double whammy. You cannot see it, and you are at higher risk.
How did your misdiagnosis shape how you see gaps in women’s healthcare?
Leslie Ferris Yerger: It opened my eyes to the fact that we are not getting everything we really need.
We are just getting what is called the standard of care. You have to question that. Is it enough for everyone?
Fifty percent of women with dense breasts are not getting enough screening, and that is a gap. Some people even call that an inequity because not everyone gets an equal chance to have their cancer found early.
We also hear from women who say, 'I asked my doctor if I should get additional screening since I have dense breasts,' and they are dismissed with something like, 'Honey, have you been reading the internet again?' That is horrible. That is not the way we should be talked to, especially when we are right.
What practical steps can women take if they learn they have dense breasts?
Leslie Ferris Yerger: We have a basic fact sheet that people can download and print. It shows the four levels of density and cites studies about why it is important to know your breast density and get additional screening if that applies.
We also have a download called Popular Roadblocks. It highlights common things a physician might say to dismiss the discussion and what you might say respectfully back. That has been really useful to a lot of people.
On our website, we cover the different screening modalities in depth, their pros, cons, and statistics. We also encourage asking questions through the patient portal because then it is on record that you asked.
Through her work with My Density Matters, Leslie Ferris Yerger has created a space where women can learn, ask questions, and advocate for the care they deserve. She continues to speak out so that every woman understands the importance of knowing her breast density and the screening options available to her.
Her message is clear and powerful: Know your density. Know your options. Early detection is not only about medical technology. It is about awareness, empowerment, and the determination to ensure that every woman is seen, heard, and informed.