If a baseline mammogram shows that a woman's breast primarily consists of adipose tissue, what is her likely age?

A mammogram that primarily shows adipose tissue indicates that there is a lower density of glandular breast tissue, which is typically observed in older women. As women age, especially after menopause, the proportion of glandular tissue in the breast decreases, and the amount of adipose tissue increases due to hormonal changes and the natural aging process.

Women younger than 40 generally have more glandular breast tissue, making their mammograms appear denser. Similarly, women between the ages of 40 to 50 often still have a significant amount of glandular tissue compared to postmenopausal women. Thus, the characteristics of a mammogram showing primarily adipose tissue is more commonly associated with women older than 60, who have typically gone through menopause and experienced a shift in breast tissue composition.

Therefore, identifying that the baseline mammogram shows predominantly adipose tissue suggests it is likely reflective of an older demographic, supporting the conclusion that the woman is more likely over 60 years of age.