Women residing in a polluted area may develop a dense breast, a known risk factor for breast cancer.

In a study published in Breast Cancer Research, women living in a high polluted area - measured by a number of fine particles in the atmosphere - may develop dense breasts. There is a four percent chance of having dense breasts among women in every unit of increase fine particle concentration in the environment.

Like Us on Facebook

The lead study researcher Dr. Lusine Yaghjyan explains to Medical Xpress that there is a positive association between fine particle concentration exposure and breast density. However, an inverse association created between ozone exposure and breast density. The result is very intriguing for the researchers that need a further investigation to undo any biological mechanism for ozone exposure and decrease the chance of having dense breasts.

Dense breasts have more non-fatty tissue compared to the average breast, and they also have more gland tissues that drain milk, according to The Breast Cancer Organization. Although this is a hereditary trait, the findings in the research now suggest that it may also develop due to environmental factors, particularly living in a polluted area.

Women who have dense breasts are six times more likely to develop cancer. Mammograms cannot also produce an accurate photo of dense breasts, so there is an increased chance that cancer may be undetected until the late phase. 

However, even though there is an association between living in a polluted city and having dense breasts, it does not necessarily mean that one caused the other. There are still additional factors that may increase the chance of breast cancer development, Dr. Yaghjyan noted.