High Breast Density Is Causing A 'Hidden' Cancer Risk In More Than 700,000 UK Women | HuffPost Life

Over 700,000 Women Are Living With This Hidden Breast Cancer Risk

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Over 700,000 women in the UK could be living with a hidden breast cancer risk according to research from Breast Cancer Campaign.

The charity said that women who have a "high breast density" are at a significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer than others.

A woman is classed as having a high density when there is more collagen and glandular tissue compared to fatty tissue in her breasts.

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Breast Cancer Myths: Know Your Facts From Your Fiction

A clinical trial recently identified that 8.3% of women aged 47 to 75 are deemed to have a high breast density. According to the charity, 721,187 women fall into this category based on population estimates .

Research has also highlighted that women with the highest density are up to five times more likely to develop breast cancer than women with low density.

Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Campaign, said: "The best weapon in overcoming breast cancer is the ability to stop the disease occurring in the first place. To do this, we need better ways to identify who is most at risk.

"The emerging evidence on risk factors such as breast density, which we now know is putting hundreds of thousands of women at risk of developing breast cancer, must be taken into consideration and more must be done."

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Breast Cancer: Myths Vs Facts

MYTH: A Healthy Lifestyle + No Family History = No Risk Of Breast Cancer(01 of15)

“Breast cancer can sadly happen to anyone, at any age,” says Dr Lisa Wilde, Director of Research at Breast Cancer Campaign. “This is why it is vital that you stay breast aware, know what is normal for you, and report any unusual changes to your GP.” However, although lifestyle choices do not guarantee prevention, Carolyn Rogers, Clinical Nurse Specialist, at Breast Cancer Care, points out: “Eating a well balanced diet, taking regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and limiting alcohol intake can all contribute to reducing the risk of developing breast cancer.” (credit:fatchoi via Getty Images)

FACT: Motherhood Can Affect Breast Cancer Risk(02 of15)

“Evidence suggests that for every child you have, your risk of breast cancer is reduced by 7%, while, every 12 months of breastfeeding reduces risk by 4%,” says Dr Wilde.Sally Greenbrook, Senior Policy Officer at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, explains: “In the long term, women who have had children are at lower risk of breast cancer than those who have not, with the more children a woman has, and the earlier she begins her family, the greater the decrease in risk.” However, she adds: “Research suggests the risk temporarily increases slightly, for a few years after giving birth, regardless of age. But it’s important to remember that breast cancer in childbearing years is very rare.” (credit:LWA via Getty Images)

MYTH: Antiperspirant Deodorants Can Cause Breast Cancer(03 of15)

“Some people have argued the chemicals in antiperspirants, such as parabens and aluminium salts, have a link to breast cancer, but no scientific evidence backing up this claim has been found,” says Dr Wilde.“This is a common myth, which apparently started from a hoax email a few years ago,” says Annabel Bentley, medical director at Bupa. “Research since then, looking at deodorants and breast cancer, has not found a proven link. At the moment there is no evidence to suggest that parabens cause breast cancer to develop. All that is known is that these chemicals are present in some breast cancers." (credit:Alliance via Getty Images)

MYTH: Breast Implants Can Give You Cancer(04 of15)

“Breast implants are not thought to affect a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer,” says Dr Wilde. “A recent study of over 3,000 Swedish women found no increased risk up to 37 years after having implants. “However, breast implants can make it more difficult to see a cancer using mammography, so if you are going for breast cancer screening and have implants, you should let your screening team know so they can get the best image possible.”“The radiographer may wish to take additional x-ray images from different angles to be sure that all of your breast tissue is completely examined,” adds Greenbrook. “They may also want to check the images straight away to make sure they are suitable, which means your screening needs to take place at a unit with digital technology.” (credit:Ben Welsh via Getty Images)

MYTH: Having An Abortion Increases Breast Cancer Risk(05 of15)

"There is no evidence to support the notion that having a miscarriage or an abortion increases your risk of developing breast cancer," says Dr. Wilde. "An analysis published in 2004 of 53 studies, including 83,000 women with breast cancer from 16 countries, concluded that a woman’s risk of breast cancer is not increased by either having a miscarriage or an induced abortion.” (credit:tommaso79 via Getty Images)

MYTH: Hair Straightening Sprays Can Cause Breast Cancer(06 of15)

"Some hair straightening sprays have been considered as a possible cause for breast cancer," says Dr Wilde. "Fortunately, a large study, which looked at African-American women who had used straightening products seven or more times a year, for 20 years or longer, found no increase in breast cancer risk due to use of hair relaxers.” (credit:mehmetdinler via Getty Images)

FACT: The Higher Your Alcohol Intake, The Higher Your Breast Cancer Risk(07 of15)

“Several major studies have confirmed that the more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk of breast cancer,” says Dr Wilde. “For example, a US study involving over 100,000 women, showed that women who drank two glasses of wine a day were 50% more likely to develop breast cancer than those who did not drink at all.”Rogers advises, “It’s best to stick to the NHS guidelines, which state that women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, no more than three units in any one day, and have at least two alcohol-free days a week.” (credit:Torsten Schon via Getty Images)

MYTH: Particular Foods Can Cause Or Prevent Breast Cancer(08 of15)

"There is no good evidence that any one particular food can effectively either cause or prevent breast cancer,” says Wilde.Bentley agrees: "There is no single superfood that is proven to prevent breast cancer. However, another way to look at it is there are super diets, meaning that it is the combination of a range and variety of healthy foods which gives you the best chance of reducing your cancer risk. "A healthy balanced diet is one which includes plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, fibre, starchy foods, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products." (credit:Denny Thurston via Getty Images)

MYTH: Wearing The Wrong Bra Can Give You Breast Cancer(09 of15)

“Wearing an underwired bra, or one that doesn’t fit correctly, does not increase your risk of breast cancer," says Carolyn Rogers, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Care. "But if your bra is too tight or too small it can cause discomfort or pain. Download Your Guide to a Well-Fitting Bra to find out how a bra should fit for comfort and support.” (credit:jacek_kadaj via Getty Images)

MYTH: Breast Cancer Only Affects Women(10 of15)

“Men can get breast cancer too. Though rare, every year around 350 men are diagnosed in the UK - compared to nearly 55,000 women," explains Rogers. "Many people don’t know that men can get breast cancer because they don’t think of men as having breasts. In fact, both men and women have breast tissue, although men have much smaller amounts than women. "Most men who get breast cancer are over 60, although younger men can be affected. We encourage men, like women, to be breast aware so they can spot and report any unusual changes to their GP as soon as possible.” (credit:Gen Nishino via Getty Images)

FACT: Certain Birth Control Pills Are Linked To Breast Cancer Risk(11 of15)

“It has been established that women who take the combined contraceptive pill have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer,” says Dr Wilde. “But, the risk associated with the pill decreases when you stop taking it and returns to normal after ten years.”She adds: “It is important to note that 80% of breast cancers are diagnosed in women over 50. Age is a bigger risk factor, and since the contraceptive pill is largely taken by younger women, this risk factor contributes to very few extra cases of breast cancer.”Greenbrook also points out that the combined pill has changed over recent decades. “Over the past 30 years, the levels of the female hormone oestrogen in the combined pill have decreased. It is not yet clear whether the modern, low doses in the combined pill are associated with the same breast cancer risk as the older, higher dose pills.” (credit:Raymond Forbes via Getty Images)

MYTHS: Lumps Are The Only Visible Sign Of Breast Cancer(12 of15)

"A lump is just one of many symptoms of breast cancer," warns Dr Wilde. "It is just as important to look out for any of the following signs: continuous pain in a breast or armpit; one breast becoming larger or lower; puckering or dimpling of the skin; nipples becoming inverted, changing shape or position; nipples developing a rash, crusting or producing discharge; swelling under the armpits or around the collarbone.”"Check all parts of your breast, including your armpits and collarbone," adds Rogers.Breakthrough Breast Cancer advocates TLC or Touch, Look, Check. "This simply means knowing what your breasts look and feel like normally, being on the lookout for any unusual changes and getting them checked out by your doctor," explains Greenwood. (credit:Dynamic Graphics Group via Getty Images)

MYTH: All Breast Lumps Are Cancerous(13 of15)

"Thankfully, not all breast lumps are cancerous," says Wilde. "They may be benign cysts or overgrowth of tissue. But it is always important to report any changes to your GP,” she adds. (credit:pyotr021 via Getty Images)

FACT: Being Overweight Can Cause Breast Cancer(14 of15)

“Being overweight after the menopause increases your risk of breast cancer, and there is evidence to suggest that being overweight also reduces your chances of survival if you do get breast cancer,” says Wilde. (credit:Tetra Images via Getty Images)

FACT: Taller Women Have A Higher Risk Of Breast Cancer(15 of15)

“The taller you are, the slightly higher your risk of breast cancer,” says Greenbrook. The reason why has yet to be scientifically proven but Dr Wilde suggests that “genes, nutrition, hormones, and amount of breast tissue may play a role.” (credit:Jon Helgason via Getty Images)

The charity has commissioned research exploring whether monitoring a woman's breast density could help determine if she would benefit from risk-reducing treatment such as preventative drugs.

It also hopes that a pilot looking into whether or not incorporating information about breast density should be included in the NHS Breast Screening Programme will begin in coming years.

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