Many women are told after a check-up that they have “fibrous” breasts. The term can cause worry, but it describes a common and normal variation in breast composition.
What does it mean?
Breasts are made up of glandular tissue, connective (fibrous) tissue and fat. In fibrous breasts, the proportion of glandular and connective tissue is higher than that of fat. It is simply how some bodies are made, much like having curly or straight hair, and it is common in younger women, as the proportion of fat tends to increase with age and after menopause.
Does exercise change it?
Exercise strengthens the chest muscles beneath the breast but doesn’t change the glandular tissue. Losing weight can reduce the fat in the breast, which may make the breast smaller and proportionally more fibrous.
Mammograms
On a mammogram, glandular and fibrous tissue appears white — as do some lumps. That means dense tissue can hide small nodules, making mammograms harder to interpret. In these cases, doctors often add an ultrasound, which distinguishes different tissues more clearly and shows whether a lump is filled with fluid (a cyst) or solid.
Pain and tenderness
Fibrous breasts can feel lumpy and become sore or tender, especially in the days before a period, when hormonal changes make the glandular tissue swell slightly.
Not a cancer risk in itself
Having fibrous breasts does not in itself mean you will develop breast cancer. The recognised risk factors include:
- age and family history;
- starting periods early or going through menopause late;
- long-term use of hormone replacement therapy;
- alcohol consumption and smoking;
- overweight after menopause;
- not having breastfed.
Very high breast density on mammography is, however, considered by some specialists as a factor to take into account in screening, so it is worth discussing with your doctor.
A short glossary
- Nodule: any lump in the breast; it says nothing on its own about whether it is benign.
- Cyst: a nodule filled with fluid, almost always benign.
- Tumour: an abnormal growth of cells, which can be benign or malignant.
- Calcifications: tiny calcium deposits visible on mammograms; most are harmless, but some patterns need further tests.
Know your body
Getting to know how your breasts normally look and feel helps you notice changes. See a doctor if you find a new lump, a change in shape or skin, or discharge from the nipple — and attend breast screening when invited.
