Each year, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Annual Meeting in Chicago brings together radiology leading experts from all over the world to share the latest discoveries in medical imaging. At the 2025 Meeting, Dr. Stamatia Destounis and her research team presented several important studies that shed new light on breast cancer risk, breast density, and trends in younger women. Together, these findings help describe how breast imaging is becoming more personalized.
Here is what you need to know
Why Breast Density Matters More Than You May Realize
Many women are told they have “dense breasts,” but what does that actually mean? Breast density refers to the proportion of fibrous and glandular tissue compared with fatty tissue on a mammogram. Dense breasts are common and normal—but they matter for two reasons:
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- Dense tissue can make cancers harder to see on mammogram
- Higher breast density is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer
One of the studies, Dr. Destounis presented looked at something especially important: breast density doesn’t stay the same over time. As women age, gain or lose weight, go through menopause, or experience hormonal changes, breast density can increase or decrease.
The research showed that tracking breast density over several years gives a more accurate picture of a woman’s breast cancer risk than relying on a single snapshot in time. Risk models that incorporate these changes over years were better at matching predicted breast cancer risk with what actually happens to the patient.
Why does this matter?
More accurate risk estimates mean doctors can make better decisions about:
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- When to start screening for breast cancer
- How often to screen
- Whether additional imaging (like MRI or contrast-enhanced mammography) may be helpful
In short, your screening history tells an important story—and breast density trends are part of that story.
Rethinking “High Risk”: It’s Not Just About Family History
Another study presented at RSNA 2025 explored how different risk calculators identify women as “high risk” for breast cancer. Traditionally, family history has played a major role in these calculations. But newer guidelines now emphasize that breast density also deserves serious attention.
Dr. Destounis’ research compared two widely used risk models. The findings showed that:
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- Some women were classified as high risk primarily because of very dense breasts, even when they had little or no family history of breast cancer.
- Different models labeled different numbers of women as “high risk,” depending on how much importance they gave to density versus family history.
Why this matters to patients:
If you’ve ever been surprised to learn you’re considered high risk despite no strong family history, breast density may be the reason. These findings reinforce that risk is personal and multifactorial, and that conversations about screening should go beyond genetics alone.
As risk-based screening becomes more common, understanding how these models work helps ensure women receive the most appropriate care based on their individual risk factors.
Breast Cancer in Younger Women: A Persistent and Important Trend
A third study focused on breast cancer in women under age 50, drawing on over a decade of experience at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care.
The results were striking:
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- Women under 50 consistently accounted for about one in four breast cancer diagnoses at Elizabeth Wende Breast Care
- Many cancers in younger women were invasive and higher grade (more aggressive)
- A meaningful number occurred in women under 40, an age group not routinely screened
Although younger women make up a slightly smaller share of imaging patients overall, the number of breast cancers in this group has remained steady year after year.
Why does this matter?
These findings support growing national concerns about breast cancer in younger women and highlight the importance of:
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- Paying attention to symptoms at any age
- Individualized risk assessment
- Not relying solely on age cutoffs for concern or evaluation
For some younger women—especially those with higher risk factors—earlier or more tailored screening strategies may be appropriate.
The Big Picture: Toward More Personalized Breast Care
Taken together, these studies point to a clear message: breast cancer screening is moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach.
By:
- Tracking breast density over time
- Using more refined risk models
- Understanding how cancer affects younger women
Radiologists and clinicians can better tailor screening and prevention strategies to each individual. For patients, this means more informed conversations, personalized care, and ultimately, better outcomes.
