New research in Adelaide has pointed to what may cause breast cancer in some women, raising hope the disease may be prevented.

New research has identified what causes increased breast density in women, identified as a key factor in breast cancer risk.

The University of Adelaide has found that chronic low-level inflammation drives increased breast density and is associated with a higher risk of developing the disease.

"With this research we believe we may be able to identify the women most at risk of inflammation-associated breast cancer through measuring their breast density and therefore identify those who will most benefit from anti-inflammatory treatment," associate professor Wendy Ingman says.

"Our ultimate aim is to save women's lives, and our breast density research is helping us learn more about what drives this area of breast cancer risk to help inform preventative treatments.

"The more we can understand the risks associated with breast cancer, the greater chance we have at treating each risk and preventing breast cancer from developing."

About eight per cent of women have extremely high breast density and are more likely to develop breast cancer.

Professor Ingman said the next step was to conduct further studies into which treatments were best to dampen inflammation, and to look at the realationship between breast density and inflammation within a large group of women.