Breast Density and Noncancerous Breast Conditions

Breast density and noncancerous breast conditions are two important topics related to breast health that women should be aware of.

Breast density refers to the amount of glandular and connective tissue in the breast compared to the amount of fatty tissue. Dense breasts have more glandular and connective tissue than fatty tissue, while non-dense breasts have more fatty tissue than glandular and connective tissue. Breast density is important because dense breasts can make it more difficult for mammograms to detect breast cancer.

Noncancerous breast conditions refer to a group of benign (noncancerous) breast disorders that can cause changes in the breast tissue. Some common noncancerous breast conditions include fibrocystic breast changes, mastitis, and benign breast tumors.

It is important for women to be aware of their breast density and any noncancerous breast conditions they may have. Women with dense breasts may need additional imaging tests, such as ultrasound or MRI, in addition to mammography to detect breast cancer. Women with noncancerous breast conditions may also need to be monitored more closely for changes in breast tissue or the development of breast cancer.

In addition to monitoring breast density and noncancerous breast conditions, women can also take steps to maintain good breast health by maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen, performing breast self-exams, and getting regular breast cancer screenings as recommended by their healthcare provider.