Hidden factor that makes you six times more likely to get breast cancer: The common condition some women like Julia Bradbury have - and which means mammograms may not spot tumours

Excited about the Greek ­holiday she and her daughter were about to embark on, Deborah King’s thoughts were fixed on last-minute packing as she got out of the shower. Women with dense breasts are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer — research suggests they could be four to six times more at risk than those with low density, but it’s not known why. There is a request letter template at densebreast-info.org Cheryl Cruwys, founder of Breast Density ­Matters UK, a patient advocacy and action group, says: ‘It’s worth asking about your breast density and, if possible, having a breast density conversation.’ However, some radiographers may not feel sufficiently expert in examining breast tissue to help out If you have dense breasts or a family history of breast cancer, consult your GP to explore what other tests might be available, including ultrasound. ‘Standard hand-held ultrasound has proved too inaccurate for general screening purposes, but it is useful in giving additional information about a lump found by ­mammography or in a woman coming into the clinic because she has found a lump.’ Around a third of breast cancers in women of all ages are detected by mammogram, with the rest spotted by women themselves What’s more, a mounting body of evidence suggests routine screening mammograms may cause more harm than good for some women — regardless of breast density — due to false positives and overtreatment, including surgery on harmless cancers that would never have caused the patient any problems, says Michael Baum, a professor emeritus of surgery and visiting professor of medical humanities at University College London. However, Professor Baum, whose mother died from breast cancer, stresses that doctors must use ‘all the screening tools available’ to ­diagnose women who report ­symptoms such as pain or a lump.