What type of breast tissue is more likely to be seen in younger women?

Dense fibrous and glandular tissue is more prevalent in younger women due to hormonal influences and the developmental stage of breast tissue at that age. During the younger years, particularly before menopause, women typically have a higher proportion of this type of tissue, which is responsible for the milk-producing capabilities of the breast. This makes the breast tissue appear denser on a mammogram, which can have implications for imaging, as denser breasts can make it more difficult to detect abnormalities.

In contrast, as women age, particularly post-menopause, there is a gradual replacement of this dense fibrous and glandular tissue with adipose (fat) tissue. Therefore, while fatty tissue and adipose tissue relate to the composition of breast tissue, they are more characteristic of older women. Connective tissue is present in all breast tissue but does not specifically characterize the changes seen in younger vs. older women. Hence, the prominence of dense fibrous and glandular tissue in younger women is significant in understanding breast tissue characteristics.