Dense Breasts May Hide Breast Cancer on Mammograms

Mammograms may not show the whole picture when it comes to dense breasts. Breasts with plenty of fatty tissue; usually larger, or post-pregnancy breasts, are more easily imaged on mammograms, and reveal their internal structure clearly. But smaller and firmer breasts don't always give up their secrets on a standard film mammogram. Canadian researchers at Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto now say that breast density could be a risk factor for developing breast cancer. Women with dense breasts are encouraged to do breast self-exams on a regular schedule, to keep a close eye on changes.

• Breast density may increase cancer risk
• Mammographic Density and the Risk and Detection of Breast Cancer