Breast density refers to the amount of glandular and fibrous tissue in the breasts compared to fatty tissue. Women with dense breast tissue have more glandular and fibrous tissue and less fatty tissue.

Breast density varies naturally among women and can also change over time.

Studies have shown that having dense breast tissue can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Here we will explore breast density, how it is measured, its link to breast cancer, and what you can do to monitor and reduce your risk.

What is Breast Density?

Breast density is determined by mammography, a type of X-ray of the breasts that captures images from different angles. The images show the various tissues that make up the breasts, including fatty tissue, glandular tissue, and fibrous tissue.

Breast density is then classified into four categories:.

Almost entirely fatty: Less than 25% of the breast is made up of glandular and fibrous tissue.
Scattered areas of fibroglandular density: Between 25% and 50% of the breast is made up of glandular and fibrous tissue.
Heterogeneously dense: Between 51% and 75% of the breast is made up of glandular and fibrous tissue.
Extremely dense: More than 75% of the breast is made up of glandular and fibrous tissue.

Why is Breast Density Important?

Having dense breast tissue can increase the risk of developing breast cancer for several reasons. First, dense tissue makes it harder for doctors to detect cancers on mammograms because both dense tissue and cancer appear white on the X-ray.

This can lead to false negatives, where a cancer is missed on a mammogram.

Second, dense breast tissue is associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer itself.

According to the American Cancer Society, women with extremely dense breast tissue have a four to six times higher risk of developing breast cancer than women with almost entirely fatty breasts.

Finally, breast density can also affect the effectiveness of some breast cancer treatments. For example, dense breast tissue can make it harder for chemotherapy drugs to reach cancer cells in the breast.

Who is at Risk of Having Dense Breasts?

Breast density is a normal and natural variation among women. It tends to be more common for younger women, women who have not gone through menopause, women taking hormone therapy, and women with a family history of breast cancer.

How is Breast Density Evaluated?

As mentioned, breast density is evaluated by mammography. Your radiologist will assess your breast density and classify it into one of the four categories listed above.

You can ask your healthcare provider for your breast density classification, as it should be included in your mammogram report.

What Can You Do to Monitor Your Breast Density and Reduce Your Risk?

The first step in reducing your risk of breast cancer is to get regular mammograms starting at age 40 or earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer.

If you have dense breasts, you should talk to your healthcare provider about additional screening tests that may be appropriate for you, such as ultrasound or MRI.

There are also lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of breast cancer. These include:.

Maintaining a healthy weight
Exercising regularly
Limiting alcohol consumption
Quitting smoking

Additionally, some studies have suggested that certain foods and supplements may help reduce breast cancer risk, including:.

Foods high in fiber, such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
Foods high in antioxidants, such as blueberries, pecans, and artichokes
Vitamin D supplements
Omega-3 fatty acid supplements

While these lifestyle changes and supplements may lower your risk of breast cancer, they have not been shown to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women with dense breasts specifically. More research is needed in this area.

Conclusion

Dense breast tissue is an important risk factor for developing breast cancer. If you have dense breasts, talk to your healthcare provider about additional screening tests that may be necessary beyond mammography.

Additionally, making lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, limit alcohol consumption, and quit smoking may help lower your overall risk of breast cancer.