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Importance: Breast density notifications advise women to discuss breast density with their clinicians, yet little is known about such discussions., Objectives: To examine the content of women's reports of breast density discussions with clinicians and identify variations by women's sociodemographic characteristics (age, income, state legislation status, race and ethnicity, and literacy level)., Design, Setting, and Participants: This US nationwide, population-based, random-digit dial telephone survey study was conducted from July 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020, among 2306 women aged 40 to 76 years with no history of breast cancer who underwent mammography in the prior 2 years and had heard the term dense breasts or breast density. Results were analyzed from a subsample of 770 women reporting a conversation about breast density with their clinician after their last mammographic screening. Statistical analysis was conducted in April and July 2023., Main Outcomes and Measures: Survey questions inquired whether women's clinicians had asked about breast cancer risk or their worries or concerns about breast density, had discussed mammography results or other options for breast cancer screening or their future risk of breast cancer, as well as the extent to which the clinician answered questions about breast density., Results: Of the 770 women (358 [47%] aged 50-64 years; 47 Asian [6%], 125 Hispanic [16%], 204 non-Hispanic Black [27%], 317 non-Hispanic White [41%], and 77 other race and ethnicity [10%]) whose results were analyzed, most reported that their clinicians asked questions about breast cancer risk (88% [670 of 766]), discussed mammography results (94% [724 of 768]), and answered patient questions about breast density (81% [614 of 761]); fewer women reported that clinicians had asked about worries or concerns about breast density (69% [524 of 764]), future risk of breast cancer (64% [489 of 764]), or other options for breast cancer screening (61% [459 of 756]). Women's reports of conversations varied significantly by race and ethnicity; non-Hispanic Black women reported being asked questions about breast cancer risk more often than non-Hispanic White women (odds ratio [OR], 2.08 [95% CI, 1.05-4.10]; P = .04). Asian women less often reported being asked about their worries or concerns (OR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.20-0.86]; P = .02), and Hispanic and Asian women less often reported having their questions about breast density answered completely or mostly (Asian: OR, 0.28 [95% CI, 0.13-0.62]; P = .002; Hispanic: OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.27-0.87]; P = .02). Women with low literacy were less likely than women with high literacy to report being asked about worries or concerns about breast density (OR, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.43-0.96]; P = .03), that mammography results were discussed with them (OR, 0.32 [95% CI, 0.16-0.63]; P = .001), or that their questions about breast density were answered completely or mostly (OR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.32-0.81]; P = .004)., Conclusions and Relevance: In this survey study, although most women reported that their clinicians counselled them about breast density, the unaddressed worries or concerns and unanswered questions, especially among Hispanic and Asian women and those with low literacy, highlighted areas where discussions could be improved.

Importance: Breast density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer. Despite the proliferation of mandated written notifications about breast density following mammography, there is little understanding of how women perceive the relative breast cancer risk associated with breast density., Objective: To assess women's perception of breast density compared with other breast cancer risks and explore their understanding of risk reduction., Design, Setting, and Participants: This mixed-methods qualitative study used telephone surveys and semistructured interviews to investigate perceptions about breast cancer risk among a nationally representative, population-based sample of women. Eligible study participants were aged 40 to 76 years, reported having recently undergone mammography, had no history of prior breast cancer, and had heard of breast density. Survey participants who had been informed of their personal breast density were invited for a qualitative interview. Survey administration spanned July 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020, with 2306 women completing the survey. Qualitative interviews were conducted from February 1 to May 30, 2020., Main Outcomes and Measures: Respondents compared the breast cancer risk associated with breast density with 5 other risk factors. Participants qualitatively described what they thought contributed to breast cancer risk and ways to reduce risk., Results: Of the 2306 women who completed the survey, 1858 (166 [9%] Asian, 503 [27%] Black, 268 [14%] Hispanic, 792 [43%] White, and 128 [7%] other race or ethnicity; 358 [19%] aged 40-49 years, 906 [49%] aged 50-64 years, and 594 [32%] aged ≥65 years) completed the revised risk perception questions and were included in the analysis. Half of respondents thought breast density to be a greater risk than not having children (957 [52%]), having more than 1 alcoholic drink per day (975 [53%]), or having a prior breast biopsy (867 [48%]). Most respondents felt breast density was a lesser risk than having a first-degree relative with breast cancer (1706 [93%]) or being overweight or obese (1188 [65%]). Of the 61 women who were interviewed, 6 (10%) described breast density as contributing to breast cancer risk, and 43 (70%) emphasized family history as a breast cancer risk factor. Of the interviewed women, 17 (28%) stated they did not know whether it was possible to reduce their breast cancer risk., Conclusions and Relevance: In this qualitative study of women of breast cancer screening age, family history was perceived as the primary breast cancer risk factor. Most interviewees did not identify breast density as a risk factor and did not feel confident about actions to mitigate breast cancer risk. Comprehensive education about breast cancer risks and prevention strategies is needed.