Dense Breast Tissue Notifications Linked to Anxiety, Confusion in New Study
A new study reveals that informing women about dense breast tissue as part of their cancer screening results may inadvertently increase anxiety and confusion, even as it prompts more frequent consultations with physicians.
Breast density – the proportion of glandular and fibrous tissue compared to fatty tissue in the breasts – is a known risk factor for breast cancer and can also complicate the interpretation of mammograms. While Australia currently informs women of their breast density, the practise is under review in the United Kingdom.
The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Sydney and published in The BMJ, analyzed data from 2,401 women screened for breast cancer in Australia between September 2023 and July 2024 who were classified as having dense breasts.Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group receiving standard results, a group notified of their breast density with written information, and a third group receiving notification alongside a link to an explanatory video.
Eight weeks later, researchers surveyed the women about their emotional responses and intentions regarding follow-up care. The analysis showed that women informed of their breast density reported higher levels of anxiety and confusion compared to the control group.
“Women who were told of their breast density were more likely to feel anxious and confused about what to do after these results than the control group,” the study found.
Despite the increased anxiety, notification of breast density substantially increased intentions to discuss results with a general practitioner (GP). Approximately 22.8% and 19.4% of the informed groups indicated they would consult their GP, compared to just 12.9% in the control group.
Currently,the National Health Service (NHS) breast screening program in England does not assess or record breast density during mammograms.
A health information manager at Cancer Research UK emphasized the complexities of the issue. “Having dense breasts can make it harder to detect cancer on a mammogram, but it is not something people can check for themselves or change,” she stated. “This study suggests that telling women about their breast density has mixed results. Women who were told were more likely to seek advice from their GP, but they were also more likely to feel anxious and confused, highlighting the need for clear information and support. More research is needed to investigate whether informing women about their breast density could have a positive impact or not, and the UK National Screening Committee are currently looking into this.”
the study ultimately concluded that women who were notified of their dense breasts “felt anxious and confused, did not feel more informed to make decisions about their breast health, and wanted to be guided by their general practitioners.”
Melanie Sturtevant, a policy leader at Breast Cancer Now, underscored the importance of understanding the psychological impact of sharing personal risk factors. “Knowing personal risk of breast cancer could allow people to make informed decisions about their own breast health,” she said. “But studies like this one are really critically important to understand the impact of informing people about personal risk factors like breast density, including on a person’s mental health. the findings underline that learning they were higher risk left many women feeling more anxious and confused, and more likely to ask their GP for further information.”
Sturtevant also called for a more expedited review process by the UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC). “Currently in the UK, routine screening does not involve recording information about breast density, and a review into whether additional screening should be offered to women with dense breasts is ongoing. While we appreciate the need for a strong, evidence-driven process, we want to see the UKNSC conduct this with more urgency and transparency.”
The findings suggest a delicate balance must be struck between empowering patients with information and potentially causing undue distress, highlighting the need for careful consideration and robust support systems as screening practices evolve.
