As we enter our 40s and transition towards menopause, our bodies — and breast tissue in particular — can begin to shift in ways that affect both comfort and health.
🌸 Oestrogen and progesterone levels start to fluctuate, leading to changes in breast density, texture, and sensitivity.
📈 At the same time, our risk of breast cancer gradually increases with age.
In this blog, we’ll:
Demystify what happens to your breasts around menopause
Explain how mammograms work
Unpack the role of breast density
Give you clear guidance on the signs to watch for during this transition
Perimenopause is the gradual transition before periods stop entirely.
During this time:
Fluctuating oestrogen and progesterone levels can cause breasts to feel fuller, lumpier, or tender — especially before your period.
Once you reach menopause (12 consecutive months without a period), your ovaries produce far less oestrogen.
Glandular breast tissue gradually gives way to fatty tissue.
Breasts often become softer and less dense.
Skin and connective tissue can lose elasticity, changing your breasts’ shape and feel.
With age, the likelihood of developing breast cancer increases.
In the UK, screening is offered every 3 years between ages 50 and 70.
With 1 in 6 cancers affecting women in their 40s, the American College of Radiology recommends yearly mammograms from 40–50.
Screening should ideally be personalised, considering:
Family history
Genetic mutations
Use of HRT
Breast density
Jewish and Black populations
Lifestyle factors
🎯 The goal: catch any concerning changes at the earliest stage, when treatment is usually most effective.
Even if you feel perfectly well, a mammogram can detect tiny, early-stage tumours that are too small to feel by hand.
Mammograms are the single most effective tool for early detection of breast cancer.
And yes — they are safe:
The radiation exposure is low, comparable to a one-way transatlantic flight ✈️
Compression can be slightly uncomfortable, but it only lasts a few seconds
Radiographers are highly trained to position you comfortably
Any slight discomfort is far outweighed by the reassurance of proactive care
Dense breast tissue is called “dense” because of how it appears on a mammogram.
Fatty tissue looks transparent, while dense tissue and early cancers both look white, making it harder to tell them apart.
A recent Times analysis highlights breast density as a key risk factor for breast cancer in women over 40.
Women with dense breasts face a significantly higher risk, yet 93% are unaware of this link.
Around 43% of women over 40 have density levels classified as “C” or “D,” which carry the highest risk.
You can’t check for or change breast density yourself, but if you’re concerned:
Speak to your breast surgeon 👩⚕️
If your screening report notes high density, your surgeon may recommend:
3D mammograms instead of 2D
Ultrasound scans
Further supplemental imaging depending on history, HRT, and ethnicity
Being “breast aware” means noticing any new change from your normal.
🧴 The best way: check in the shower with soap on your fingers, a few days after your period ends.
Look for:
Lumps or thickened areas that didn’t exist before
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Nipple changes — inversion, discharge, or rash-like appearance
Persistent pain in one area not linked to your cycle
Redness or warmth that could signal inflammation
If you notice any of these — and they persist for more than a couple of weeks — book an appointment with your breast surgeon.
🏥 Most clinics are one-stop, meaning imaging and biopsies can be done at the same visit. Early evaluation, even of benign issues, brings peace of mind.
Lifestyle factors become increasingly influential as you age:
🏃♀️ Regular physical activity protects against breast cancer.
🍷 High alcohol intake and obesity can raise risk.
💊 HRT can ease menopausal symptoms but may slightly increase breast cancer risk — discuss benefits and risks with your breast surgeon.
By combining:
✨ Awareness
✨ Screening
✨ Healthy habits
You can support your breast health through your 40s, 50s, and beyond.
Navigating breast health in midlife can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone.
Embrace this stage with confidence:
🌸 Know your body
🌸 Stay proactive with screening
🌸 Lean on trusted, women-led resources to stay informed and empowered
Cheryl Lobo is an experienced Consultant Breast and Oncoplastic Surgeon caring for patients with breast disease since 2007. She offers one-stop breast clinics for rapid diagnosis.