Aging changes in the breast
Key points
- With aging, a woman's breasts lose tissue and subcutaneous fat, reducing the size and fullness of her breasts.
- There is also a decrease in the number of mammary ducts.
- Aging breasts commonly flatten and sag, and the nipple may invert slightly.
- The areola (the area surrounding the nipple) becomes smaller and may nearly disappear.
Information
With aging, a woman's breasts lose tissue and subcutaneous fat, reducing the size and fullness of her breasts. There is also a decrease in the number of mammary ducts.
The breasts lose support. Aging breasts commonly flatten and sag, and the nipple may invert slightly. The areola (the area surrounding the nipple) becomes smaller and may nearly disappear. Loss of hair around the nipple is common.
Breast cancer risk increases with age. Women should perform monthly breast self-examinations. However, because breast self-exams do not always pick up early stages of Breast cancer, women should also talk to their health care providers about mammograms.
RELATED TOPICS
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.