Breast Density: Why It Matters

Breast density refers to the amount of connective tissue and glandular tissue in the breast. Women with denser breasts have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. This is because dense breast tissue can make it more difficult to detect cancer on a mammogram.

Why does breast density matter?

Breast density is important because it can affect the accuracy of mammograms. Mammograms are X-rays of the breast that are used to screen for breast cancer. However, dense breast tissue can make it more difficult to see tumors on a mammogram. This is because dense tissue appears white on a mammogram, and so can tumors. This can make it difficult for radiologists to distinguish between normal tissue and cancerous tissue.

What are the risk factors for having dense breasts?

There are a number of risk factors for having dense breasts, including:

* Age: Breast density tends to increase with age.

* Family history of breast cancer: Women who have a family history of breast cancer are more likely to have dense breasts.

* Menstrual history: Women who started menstruating at a young age or who went through menopause at a late age are more likely to have dense breasts.

* Body mass index (BMI): Women who are overweight or obese are more likely to have dense breasts.

* Hormone therapy: Women who are taking hormone therapy for menopause are more likely to have dense breasts.

What can you do if you have dense breasts?

If you have dense breasts, you should talk to your doctor about your risk of breast cancer and about the best ways to screen for the disease. Your doctor may recommend that you have more frequent mammograms or that you have additional imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

Dense breasts are a risk factor for breast cancer, but they do not mean that you will definitely develop the disease. By talking to your doctor and following the recommended screening guidelines, you can help to reduce your risk of breast cancer.