What does the term “breast density” refer to?

The term “breast density” specifically refers to the ratio of glandular to fatty tissue in the breast. In mammography, breast density is an important factor because it can influence the difficulty of detecting abnormalities such as tumors. Dense breasts have a higher proportion of glandular tissue compared to fatty tissue, which can mask the presence of cancerous lesions on mammograms. Higher breast density is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and can affect the sensitivity of mammographic screenings.

In contrast to breast density, other options focus on unrelated aspects of breast characteristics. For example, the overall weight of the breast does not provide information about the composition of the tissues within, and breast implants pertain to surgical augmentations rather than the natural structure of breast tissues. The age of the individual may influence breast density due to hormonal changes, but it is not a direct definition of the term itself. Therefore, the correct understanding of breast density lies with its definition tied to the composition of glandular and fatty tissues.