Heterogeneously dense less than 40% of women andīreast density is one of the strongest independent risk-factors for developing breast cancer, stronger even than age or family history, with women with ‘extremely dense’ breast tissue being four-to-six times more likely to develop breast cancer compared to women with ‘mostly fatty’ breasts.Scattered density – accounts for about 40% of women.Mostly fatty – accounts for less than 10% of women in Ireland.Unfortunately, breast density cannot be measured by look or feel, only by mammography, where dense breast tissue appears white and fatty breast tissue appears dark. Women with dense breasts have a higher proportion of fibroglandular and supportive tissue, whereas those with less dense breasts have a higher proportion of fat. However, many are not aware of the importance of breast density, which has been described as one of the most significant risk factors of all. Most women are aware of the common risk factors when it comes to breast cancer. Specialists have found that older women who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have denser breasts than would be expected for their age, which can make their mammograms less accurate. It is more difficult to read a mammogram if the breast tissue is dense so mammograms are not as reliable for younger women. Once a woman goes through menopause, the glandular tissue is gradually replaced by fat, which is less dense. Younger women have more glandular tissue in their breasts, which makes them dense. They may also feel different at different times of the month – for example, just before a period they can feel lumpy.īreast density changes as a woman ages. It is very common for breasts to be different sizes from one another. The breastsĪ network of ducts spreads from the lobes towards the nipple. This page tells you about the structure of the breasts and about the lymphatic glands.
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