What do women know about breast density? Results from a population survey of Virginia women

Breast density reduces the sensitivity of mammography and is a moderate independent breast cancer risk factor.  Virginia is one of fourteen states that currently require providers to notify patients when they have dense breasts.  However, little is known about what women in the general population know and understand about breast density. 

This survey study assessed knowledge about breast density, its impact on mammography and its relationship to breast cancer risk.  A random sample of 1,024 Virginia women between age 35-70 years and without breast cancer, reached by landline and cell phone, completed a 24-minute interview.  Thirty-six percent of respondents had been informed about their breast density by a doctor.  Few respondents (5.3%) were able to answer all three breast density knowledge questions correctly. 

Women with a higher perceived risk of breast cancer, familiarity with its risk factors, or familiarity with current recommendations for screening were more likely to have accurate breast density knowledge; those in rural regions were less likely.  Seventy-five percent of respondents reported being either somewhat or very familiar with risk factors for breast cancer, but less than 1% proved able to list breast density as a risk factor. 

These results suggest that while women are becoming aware of the term “breast density”, they may not understand its relationship to cancer detection by mammography and, especially, its relation to breast cancer risk.  Improved public health education about breast density is necessary to augment new legislation to help women evaluate and manage their breast cancer risk.