Breast Cancer Risk Factors: Bone Density

Many studies have shown women with high bone density have an increased risk of breast cancer [106-110].

A meta-analysis that combined the results of 10 studies found women with high bone density had about a 60% to 80% higher risk of breast cancer compared to women with low bone density [110].

Learn about other factors linked to the risk of breast cancer.

Why might high bone density increase breast cancer risk?

Having strong bones does not increase breast cancer risk.

Rather, high bone density is a marker for estrogen levels in the body. The more estrogen a woman produces in her lifetime, the more bone mass she has. These higher estrogen levels are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer [22].

Learn more about estrogen and breast cancer risk.

Bone density and osteoporosis

Although women with high bone density have a higher risk of breast cancer compared to other women, they have a lower risk of osteoporosis [111]. Osteoporosis is a loss of bone mass and bone density. It causes bones to become fragile.