A study by the Carlos III Health Institute published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment found that women born to mothers who were 39 years old or older have a higher mammographic density as an adult, which brings with it an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
The study looked at more than 3,500 women, aged 45 to 68, and also found that women who were “taller and thinner” pre-puberty compared to the “average” girl also had higher mammographic densities. Prior research showed women with a mammographic density of 75% or above are five times to get breast cancer, compared with women who have a low density.
If your mother was over 39 when she gave birth to you, it doesn’t mean you’re destined for breast cancer, and the same thing goes for the pre-pubescent tall and thin girls. But it is another reason to make sure you’re doing those self-checks, and to stay up to date with your screenings!