Breasts - they're not just fixtures to stuff bras or tools to feed hungry babies. Get this: they're actually complex biological structures with fat, glandular tissue, and fibrous tissue. And sometimes, they are denser than usual which can truly rock your world.

"Dense breasts" are those on the heavier side of glandular and fibrous tissue, as compared to fatty tissue. Fact: the only way to discover this is by having a mammogram. Radiologists set up four categories to describe breast tissue and if you're in the last two, congratulations (sort of), you're in the dense camp.

Despite the impressive buzz these dense mammary wonders create, scientists have yet to wrap their heads around the mystery of why some women inherit them. They do point out a few possibilities that may increase your chances: childbirth, youth, hormone therapy, less body fat, or inheriting smaller breasts.

Dense breasts are not as rare as you might think, particularly among young women. About half of women under 50 share the thick-of-it together. Even as estrogen levels tap out with age, a quarter of women in their 60s still have dense breasts. And let's not forget our Asian sisters who are more prone to the phenomenon.

Why should you care about this? Because dense breasts not only raise a big red flag for breast cancer but can mask the disease in mammograms, making it tougher to detect. The denser the breast, the higher the risk. But don't freak out, increased density is not a death sentence, nor is it as bad as packing a genetic mutation like BRCA1 or BRCA2.

Ideally, it would help if you found out if you're in the dense club. Thankfully, new legislation in 39 states requires women to be notified of their breast density after a mammogram, and come September 2024, all facilities must send notifications, thanks to updated FDA guidelines.

So what now? Well, mammograms can still detect cancers in dense breasts, so don't give up on them just yet. But supplementary screenings, like an ultrasound or MRI, could be invaluable for dense breast owners. Women with over 20% lifetime risk of breast cancer should also consider adding an MRI to their regular mammogram program, as per the American Cancer Society's advice.

Dr. Wendie Berg, a radiologist and fellow dense breast owner, founded DenseBreast-Info.org after her own mammogram missed an early stage breast cancer that only an MRI could catch. She encourages women "Do not wait for your doctor to recommend additional screening if you have dense breasts."

Remember, knowledge is power and you being informed and proactive could be the game changer. Remember though: MRIs and ultrasounds come with a higher rate of false positives, which can lead to unnecessary stress and treatment. So, do your homework, weigh the pros and cons, and remember, there's no substitute for your good judgment when it comes to your body and health.