Does breast density increase a woman's risk for breast cancer?

According to a recent study by The New England Journal Of Medicine, women 40 years and older who have dense breasts may be at an increased risk for breast cancer. Radiologist Mary Kay Peterson explains, "Dense breasts are breasts that have a lot of fibrous tissue and a lot of glandular elements."

The study showed that women with extensive breast density were three to five times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer. One possibility --- denser breast might harbor faster growing tumors. Dr. Peterson adds, "When it comes to dense breasts, women are much more conscious, physicians are a little more conscious to realize that maybe the mammogram needs to be done a little bit sooner."

Dr. Peterson says that although mammograms are considered to be an excellent tool to diagnose breast cancer at an early stage, if you happen to have what's known as 'dense breasts' those tumors can be very difficult to see. "When I look at a mammogram I see a lot of whiteness. When I see a lot of whiteness, it decreases the sensitivity or the ability of that diagnostic exam to let me find new abnormalities."

Dr. Peterson also says that the link between dense breasts and cancer continues to be researched and better diagnostic tools are being offered. "In addition to breast ultrasound there's also breast MRI which is a standard care."

Remember, all women should be getting their first mammogram at 40 years of age, even younger if there's an immediate family history of breast cancer.