When it comes to breast cancer awareness, many women are familiar with the risk factors: age, genetics, lifestyle, and family history. But one significant factor that often gets missed is breast density, as Katie Nolan discusses.

Recent studies have revealed that women with dense breast tissue are nearly twice as likely to develop breast cancer compared to those with low breast density. This finding has great implications for how individuals and health professionals approach screening and early detection.

What is breast density?

Breast are made up of three types of tissue: glandular tissue, fibrous connective tissue and fatty tissue. Breast density refers to the proportion of glandular and fibrous tissue compared to fatty tissue in the breast, less fatty tissue meaning denser.

Breast density can be detected on a mammogram, however both dense tissue and tumours appear white, making it harder to detect abnormalities. This means breast cancer can sometimes be missed during routine screenings and only discovered at a more advanced stage.

What did the study reveal

The study involving over 33,000 women found that those with dense breasts had almost double the risk of developing breast cancer than those with less dense breasts. It revealed that women with the lowest breast density have about a 6% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer after age 50, while those with the highest density face a risk closer to 15%.

This increased risk spans both younger, pre-menopausal women and older, post-menopausal women. About 40% of women fall into the higher density categories, with dense breasts more common among younger women, those on hormone replacement therapy, and certain ethnic groups.

Why breast screening needs to evolve

Standard mammography is less effective in women with dense breasts. While it detects about 90% of cancers in women with mostly fatty breasts, it drops to around 70% in women with extremely dense breasts. This leads to tumours being diagnosed between regular screenings at a more advanced stage.

To address this, additional screening methods like MRI scans are being explored. These may be able to detect cancers that mammograms miss, offering a better chance for early diagnosis and improved chances of survival

As a clinical negligence solicitor, I am currently representing a number of women who were diagnosed with breast cancer much later than they should have been. I therefore fully understand how crucial it is to detect cancer at the earliest opportunity. Women should be offered the screening method that is the most appropriate for them, based on their own individual risks.

Breast density is one factor which sometimes makes MRI scanning a more appropriate method of screening and women should be fully informed of their options so they can consider alternative methods of screening should they wish to.

Raising awareness

It seems that most women in the UK who have been for mammograms are not aware of their breast density, whereas the US now requires that women be notified of their breast density after mammograms and advised of the associated risks.

The aim is to empower women to have informed conversations with their doctor and consider additional screening options if needed.

If you have dense breasts, it doesn’t mean you’ll develop breast cancer, but it does mean you should be proactive. Talk to your doctor about your breast density, understand your personal risks, and explore whether supplemental screening is an option for you.

As awareness grows and screening practices evolve, we move closer to detecting cancers earlier and improving outcomes for all women.