Many women have dense breast tissue, and many of them wonder if having dense breast tissue is abnormal. So what is dense breast tissue, and is it a sign of any pathology?
1. What is dense breast tissue?
A woman’s breast is made up of various types of tissue, such as fatty tissue, glands, and connective tissue. Breast density is the term used to describe the relative proportion of the components of the breast. Dense breast tissue is when there is a lot of connective tissue, glands (fibroglandular tissue), and relatively little fatty tissue (adipose tissue).
Each woman has a different amount of dense breast tissue, and having dense breast tissue is a normal, common physiological phenomenon. Dense breast tissue can occur at any age, but for most women, breasts tend to become less dense as they age.
2. Why does dense breast tissue occur?
To date, it is not clear why some women have more dense breast tissue than others. Breast density can be influenced by several factors:
- Age: Younger women tend to have more dense breast tissue.
Body mass index (BMI): Women with a low BMI (less body fat) may have more dense breast tissue. - Genetic factors: Breast density may be influenced by genetic factors; if there are close relatives in the family with dense breast tissue, the likelihood of having dense breast tissue oneself increases.
- Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding may be a factor that causes breast tissue to become denser.
- Hormones: The use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy after menopause can make breast tissue denser.
- Menopause: Typically, after menopause, a woman’s breasts have more fatty tissue and less dense tissue.
3. How can you tell if you have dense breast tissue?
Breast density cannot be determined by self-feeling, by assessing breast size, or by self-examination. Doctors also cannot determine breast density through clinical examination; breast density must be assessed based on mammogram results.
Mammogram results will provide at least two important pieces of information: whether there is the presence of breast cancer and the correlation between the amount of dense breast tissue and non-dense breast tissue (to determine if there is dense breast tissue).
Mammography is the best method for early detection of breast cancer; however, dense breast tissue can obscure the presence of cancer, making detection more difficult.
4. What does knowing you have dense breast tissue mean?
Knowing your breast density status is important for women’s health, as it helps doctors provide appropriate screening tests for each specific case.
Women with dense breast tissue face a higher risk of developing breast cancer. The reasons for this phenomenon are still unclear. Additionally, dense breast tissue also makes it more difficult to detect the presence of breast cancer on mammogram results.
Consult your doctor about your breast condition for detailed advice on what tests and screenings should be performed.
5. What should be done if there is dense breast tissue?
Dense breast tissue is, first of all, a normal physiological phenomenon that is common, and the density of the breast is not a factor that can be changed by intervention measures. Dense breast tissue does not require any treatment, and it can change on its own over time.
If the mammogram results show dense breast tissue, the doctor may recommend additional screenings to increase the likelihood of detecting breast cancer, such as:
- Breast ultrasound.
- Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- 3-D mammogram (digital breast tomosynthesis).
- Molecular breast imaging (MBI).
6. Plan for Breast Cancer Screening
To detect breast cancer early, all women, regardless of breast density, should perform monthly breast self-exams and have annual check-ups with their doctor.
Consult with your doctor about when to start getting mammograms. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that all women aged 50 to 74 with average breast cancer risk should have a mammogram every 2 years.
Women aged 40 to 49 should consult their doctor about when to start getting mammograms and the interval between two consecutive mammograms, while also considering the benefits and risks of screening to make a decision on when to start mammograms before age 50.
Even if the screening results are normal, every woman should be aware of any unusual signs occurring in her breasts and report them to her doctor immediately.
7. How to keep breasts healthy?
Maintaining a balanced, healthy, and active lifestyle is the best way to ensure that the breasts and the entire body remain healthy. Here are some suggestions:
- Perform monthly breast self-exams.
- Have regular annual check-ups with a doctor.
- Do not smoke.
- Maintain a balanced, healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Limit alcohol and alcoholic beverage consumption.
- Maintain a reasonable weight.
- Exercise regularly.
- Get enough sleep each day.
- Relax and manage stress appropriately.
Reference source: webmd.com; mayoclinic.org
