Why is mammography more useful in older women?

• A. Older women typically have higher estrogen levels
• B. Breast tissue becomes less dense with age
• C. Older women tend to have smaller breasts
• D. Older women have a higher incidence of breast cancer

Answer: (B)

Mammography is primarily more useful in older women because breast tissue becomes less dense with age. Dense breast tissue can obscure the visibility of tumors on a mammogram, making it harder to detect abnormalities. As women get older, hormonal changes lead to a gradual replacement of fibrous and glandular tissue with fatty tissue. This transition results in a reduction in breast density, allowing mammograms to produce clearer images of the breast tissue, which improves the chances of detecting breast cancer early.

This increase in clarity and visibility is significant for effective screening and diagnosis. The other options do not accurately reflect the relationship between age, breast density, and the efficacy of mammography. Higher estrogen levels, smaller breast size, and increased incidence of breast cancer do not directly account for the improved imaging quality and clarity that come with decreased breast density.