What characteristic of denser breast tissue affects mammography?

Denser breast tissue is composed of a higher proportion of glandular and fibrous tissue compared to fatty tissue. This density can obscure the ability to detect tumors during mammography. In denser breasts, both normal glandular tissue and potential abnormalities (such as tumors) appear white on mammograms, making it challenging to differentiate between the two. As a result, the presence of dense breast tissue is associated with an increased likelihood that tumors could be missed during screening, leading to a decreased sensitivity of the mammogram.

Understanding this characteristic is crucial for interpreting mammograms effectively and may even lead to recommendations for additional imaging techniques, such as ultrasound or MRI, particularly in individuals with dense breast tissue to ensure accurate detection of abnormalities.