By naturopath Margaret Jasinska

Did you know that women with higher breast density are at greater risk of breast cancer? It is actually one of the biggest cancer risk factors, more significant than family history, yet very few women are aware of this fact.

A mammogram is the only way to know your breast density. It is estimated that more than 40 percent of Australian women aged forty to sixty five have high breast density. These women are two to six times more likely to develop breast cancer than women with low mammographic breast density.

What is breast density?

Dense breasts are breasts that have less fatty tissue and more non-fatty tissue, such as glands that make and drain milk.

How would you know if you have dense breasts?

A mammogram is the only way to be certain. A mammogram done on a woman with dense breasts appears a lot like white cotton wool.  In a woman with less dense breasts, the mammogram appears more grey and transparent. Breast density shows up as white and bright regions. Unfortunately potential tumours are also shown as white and bright on a mammogram. This means, with current screening methods it’s harder to see tumours in breasts with denser tissue on a mammogram. Therefore there’s a higher risk that these women’s tumours may be missed at the time of screening. A newer type of mammogram called a 3D mammogram is better able to determine breast density, but this type of mammography is only offered in a select few centres in Australia.

Currently no single method for measuring breast density has been agreed upon in the medical community. Breast density can’t be assessed based on how breasts feel during a self-exam or a doctor’s physical exam. However, breast density does reduce significantly after menopause, and this is a time when breasts become softer. Therefore firmer feeling breasts often have a higher density.

What causes high density?

A number of factors are well recognised as raising breast density:

• Age. Breast density is higher in younger women and declines with age.
• Genetic factors are relevant, however environmental factors (eg. Diet) and reproductive factors do alter the genetic expression.
• Not having any children, or having children later in life (over age 35).
• Hormones used in IVF, hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy.
• High circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and low circulating levels of IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3 have been associated with increased mammographic density in premenopausal women. Since IGFs increase cell proliferation and IGFBPs inhibit proliferation, it has been suggested that increased breast density might result from stimulation of cell proliferation by IGF-I and/or impaired inhibition of proliferation resulting from low levels of IGFBP-3. What causes this hormonal profile? A high intake of carbohydrate, sugar, alcohol and dairy products. Features typical of the average western diet.

Strategies to improve breast health and reduce cancer risk

• Increase the amount of vegetables you eat; particularly green leafy vegetables. Broccoli, bok choy, cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts all contain sulphur compounds that assist with oestrogen detoxification. Sulphur is also found in onion, garlic, leek and spring onion.
• Nuts and seeds are high in fibre that helps to ensure regular bowel motions, to excrete oestrogen adequately. Make sure you are not constipated, as this means you’ll be reabsorbing oestrogen your body is trying to eliminate.
• Be aware that alcohol, sugar and dairy products increase breast density, and try to minimise your consumption.
• Reduce your consumption of trans fatty acids and polyunsaturated omega 6 rich vegetable oil (eg. Sunflower, safflower, canola, corn, cottonseed oil). These fats increase the level of inflammation in your body, thus generating free radicals and using up antioxidants.  Excessive inflammation increases the risk of many health problems, including cancer. These fats are found in many processed foods such as biscuits, salad dressings, pastries, chips, crackers and fried foods.
• Ensure you have plenty of the nutrients required for healthy breasts in your diet. Please contact us if you’d like more information.
• Try to minimise your contact with plastic, and never eat or drink hot foods/liquids from plastic containers. Heat increases the migration of plastic molecules into food. Try to store food in glass or stainless steel containers.
• Try to get safe, regular sunshine exposure. There is a strong association between low levels of vitamin D and higher risk of breast cancer. Please avoid getting sunburnt.

References:

Byrne C, Colditz GA, Willett WC, Speizer FE, Pollak M, Hankin-son SE: Plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I, IGF-binding protein 3, and mammographic density.

Cancer Res 2000, 60:3744-3748

Boyd NF, Guo H, Martin LJ, Sun L, Stone J, Fishell E, et al.
Mammographic density and the risk and detection of breast cancer.
N Engl J Med. 2007 Jan. 356(3): 227-36