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Breast density is a term that is used by the medical profession and it refers to the amount of fat and tissue in the breast, and this can be seen in a mammogram screening. Dense breasts have more tissue than fat and younger women typically have breasts that are more dense. As we age, however, our breasts become less dense, and after menopause, the breast tissue of most women is mainly fat. The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may cause women who take HRT to have higher breast density.
Breast Density and Breast Cancer Risk
You can find any number of articles on the Internet that take great pleasure in telling you that women who have denser breasts are at an increased risk for breast cancer, but ongoing research has been unable to prove why.
I believe that the biggest problem is that for women with dense breasts, catching any cancerous activity via mammography is a difficult thing to do. Dense breast tissue and cancer both appear as white or light grey on a mammogram, making it nearly impossible for a radiologist to detect cancer – they say it’s kind of like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Radiologists who are more proactive may provide density information to their patients, encouraging them to try other screening options like thermal imaging, ultrasound, or MRI. Some states in the USA are actually passing laws that make it mandatory for women to be notified they have dense breast tissue after getting a mammogram, which I believe is a good thing.
What I find mystifying is that simply because dense breasts are more difficult to screen, that should not create a higher risk of breast cancer for their owner and yet that seems to be what the research is telling us. According to www.cancer.gov: “It is not yet clear why breast density is related to a person’s risk of breast cancer, but there are currently studies aimed at finding a better method for assessing breast cancer risk using breast density.”
The latest bit of research I found comes to us via the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and is titled Benign Breast Disease, Mammographic Breast Density and the Risk of Breast Cancer which concludes that “Women with high breast density and proliferative benign breast disease are at very high risk for future breast cancer.”
If You Have Dense Breasts…
First of all, take a deep breath and don’t panic. Until technology catches up with this issue, just know that there are many things you can do to protect yourself against breast cancer. There’s no magic pill but take the time to learn what you can do – be proactive. I’ll help you.
In a recent review into breast cancer and lifestyle, the American Institute of Cancer Research estimated that at least 40% of breast cancer cases in the USA could be prevented if people made wiser lifestyle choices.
Want to know what they are? Sign up for my free newsletters, e-book and report on the right and I’ll share all of the latest research and my best tips with you on how to reduce your breast cancer risk. Not sure you want to do that? Check my Testimonials page for feedback from my subscribers.
So often the discussion about dense breast tissue and Mammograms is really a debate about HRT for women over 50. I am over 60 and have the body of someone in her 30s. HRT and a gym routine are key. I just had a battery of mammograms (to much radiation?) and the ultrasound proved that I was OK!!! What makes me angry is that to stay on HRT and have firm boobies….I seem to have to subject myself to a 6 month routine of mammograms and ultrasounds. I am wondering if there is a middle ground on this. When I meet vital women my age….I sometimes ask if they are on HRT…the answer is always yes. Does this mean I just have to suck it up and have lots of Mammograms and ultrasounds to justify staying on HRT? What are the risks of all the radiation? I am not passive about the aging process,,,,,but I am not wishing to be a vain woman with Breast Cancer.
Valley Forge Lady, thanks for your comments, I can definitely appreciate your concerns. Yes, having a mammogram every 6 months definitely increases the radiation you are getting, and that in itself gives you increased risk of breast cancer. You might like to know about Thermal Imaging, an infinitely better way of viewing what is happening within the breast. See my article about thermal imaging – https://marnieclark.com/breast-screening-without-the-squish-2/ I don’t know where you’re located, but if there is a center for thermal imaging close to you, you might like to give that a try. Cheers, and thanks for your comment, let me know if I can help you in any way.
I had three successive yearly “negative “ mammograms and an MRI whilst on HRT patches, which subsequently proved to be horrifically bad interpretation by the so called radiologist and they were clearly visible and pointed out to me by the breast surgeon who removed both my breasts. There is some controversy about the radiation exposure of mammos as well as taking HRT. I’ve subsequently come to the conclusion that menopause and it’s effects are a normal part of ageing and perhaps the desire to retain all the magic of youth has resulted in quite a bit of subsequent discomfort. Stress has an enormous impact in the etiology of cancer to me, as well as not taking note of the foods that make me feel unwell. What a minefield 🙈🤣
Hi I recently had an ultrasound and MRI and was told that I have BI-RADS category C for breast density. This has always been an issue for me and that contributed to missed diagnosis with mammograms. I take 2 Pure Encapsulations DIM detox each day and a heaped spoon of freshly ground organic linseed. Is there anything else I could do or take to reduce the breast density. Is Vitamin E of any value for this? I had invasive lobular breast cancer 8 years ago – had radiation – no chemo. I would be grateful for any insight from you. Thank you for all the information you send in your emails.
Regards Annette Kiama NSW
Hi Annette,
Lovely to hear from you! It’s good you are taking the DIM and the freshly ground flaxseed (linseed). You can increase your dose of the flaxseed, I generally recommend up to 2 tablespoons per day, so a bit more than you’re taking. The other thing you might find beneficial are castor oil packs. I have a how-to video here: https://marnieclark.com/how-to-make-a-castor-oil-pack-for-breast-health/ Hope that helps you, and let me know how you get on with the castor oil packs.
Big hugs,
Marnie