What Are the Causes of Breast Density?
Younger women have denser breast tissue that is needed for lactation, but as a woman ages her breasts become less dense with more fatty tissue. There are other factors that also create dense breasts, even in women past menopause.
Hormones
Women taking hormone replacement therapy or HRT have shown more density in their breasts. But this is only with continuous use. If a woman stops the therapy, breasts will return to the state they were before HRT therapy.
Weight
Denser breasts are more common in women who have less fatty tissue in their breasts, lower overall weight and less body mass.
Alcohol
It is interesting to note that white wine and red wine have opposite effects on breast density. The drinking of white wine can increase density, while red wine can decrease it.
Genetics
It is more likely for two sisters to have the same breast density than for mother and daughter. Also women who have the BRCA1 (breast cancer 1, early onset) or BRCA2 gene (Breast Cancer Type 2 susceptibility protein) have denser breasts. These and other studies indicate genetics has an effect on breast density.
Diet
Protein intake overall and animal protein in particular show higher breast density for women who have no family history of breast cancer.
Tags: breast density, women have, breast cancer, Causes Breast, Causes Breast Density
