Breast Density and Breast Cancer Risks

Breast density is a breast imaging term that is assessed at the time of the mammogram. Increased breast density means having a higher proportion of parenchymal breast tissue (breast glands, ducts and supportive tissue) relative to fatty breast tissue.

On the mammogram, very dense breast tissue appears white while fatty non-dense tissue appears black. Increased density is associated with younger age, lower body mass index (slimmer women) and women who take hormone therapy for menopause.