scholarly journals Relationship of mammographic densities to breast cancer risk

Author(s):  
Engy A. Ali ◽  
Mariam Raafat

Abstract Background Our goal was to find out the relation between mammographic densities and cancer of the breast according to the recent ACR classification. From the medical records of Kasereliny Hospital, 49,409 women were subjected to digital mammography for screening, of which 1500 breast cancer cases were collected. The mammographic categories of breast density were ACR-A, B, C, and D, which were detected by two senior radiologists. All radiological classifications were made using both standard mammographic views bilaterally. Two-sided tests of statistical significance were represented by all the P values. Results From 2014 to 2019, 49,409 women came for digital mammographic screening, their age ranges between 40 and 65, and all of them are included in the study. One thousand cases of breast cancer cases were radiologically and pathologically diagnosed. Different densities were arranged in descending pattern depending on the frequency of positive cases: D (13.7%), C (3.3%), B (2.7%), A (2.2%). There is positive significant risk ratio among every higher mammographic density in comparison to the lower density. Conclusion Our study results show that the risk of breast cancer is in close relation to the mammographic breast density.

2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 140-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Nickson ◽  
Anne M Kavanagh

Objectives Breast cancer prognosis is better for smaller tumours. Women with high breast density are at higher risk of breast cancer and have larger screen-detected and interval cancers in mammographic screening programmes. We assess which continuous measures of breast density are the strongest predictors of breast tumour size at detection and therefore the best measures to identify women who might benefit from more intensive mammographic screening or alternative screening strategies. Setting and methods We compared the association between breast density and tumour size for 1007 screen-detected and 341 interval cancers diagnosed in an Australian mammographic screening programme between 1994 and 1996, for three semi-automated continuous measures of breast density: per cent density, dense area and dense area adjusted for non-dense area. Results After adjustment for age, hormone therapy use, family history of breast cancer and mode of detection (screen-detected or interval cancers), all measures of breast density shared a similar positive and significant association with tumour size. For example, tumours increased in size with dense area from an estimated mean 2.2 mm larger in the second quintile (β = 2.2; 95% Cl 0.4–3.9, P < 0.001) to mean 6.6 mm larger in the highest decile of dense area (β = 6.6; 95% Cl 4.4–8.9, P < 0.001), when compared with first quintile of breast density. Conclusions Of the breast density measures assessed, either dense area or per cent density are suitable measures for identifying women who might benefit from more intensive mammographic screening or alternative screening strategies.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique Robertson ◽  
Ellie C Darcey ◽  
Evenda K Dench ◽  
Louise Keogh ◽  
Kirsty McLean ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundThis study assesses knowledge of breast density, one of breast cancer’s strongest risk factors, in women attending a public mammographic screening program in Western Australia that routinely notifies women if they have dense breasts.MethodsSurvey data was collected from women who were notified they have dense breasts and women who had not (controls). Descriptive data analysis was used to summarize responses.ResultsOf the 6183 women surveyed, over 85% of notified women knew that breast density makes it difficult to see cancer on a mammogram (53.9% in controls). A quarter of notified women knew that having dense breasts puts women at increased risk for breast cancer (13.2% in controls). Overall, 50.1% of notified women indicated that they thought the amount of information provided was “just right” and 24.9% thought it was “too little”, particularly women notified for the first time (32.1%).ConclusionThe main message of reduced sensitivity of mammography in women with dense breasts provided by the screening program appears to be getting though. However, women are largely unaware that increased breast density is associated with increased risk. Women notified of having dense breasts for the first time could potentially benefit from additional information.


2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1157-1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renee W. Pinsky ◽  
Mark A. Helvie

Mammographic breast density has been studied for more than 30 years. Greater breast density not only is related to decreased sensitivity of mammograms because of a masking effect but also is a major independent risk factor for breast cancer. This article defines breast density and reviews literature on quantification of mammographic density that is key to future clinical and research protocols. Important influences on breast density are addressed, including age, menopausal status, exogenous hormones, and genetics of density. Young women with dense breasts benefit from digital mammographic technique. The potential use of supplemental MRI and ultrasound screening techniques in high-risk women and women with dense breasts is explored, as are potential risk reduction strategies.


Cancer ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 126 (21) ◽  
pp. 4687-4696
Author(s):  
Eun Young Kim ◽  
Yoosoo Chang ◽  
Jiin Ahn ◽  
Ji‐Sup Yun ◽  
Yong Lai Park ◽  
...  

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Hopper

Citation of original article:K. Kerlikowske, J. Shepherd, J. Creasman, J. A. Tice, E. Ziv, S. R. Cummings. Are breast density and bone mineral density independent risk factors for breast cancer. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2005; 97(7): 368–74.Abstract of the original articleBackground: Mammographic breast density and bone mineral density (BMD) are markers of cumulative exposure to estrogen. Previous studies have suggested that women with high mammographic breast density or high BMD are at increased risk of breast cancer. We determined whether mammographic breast density and BMD of the hip and spine are correlated and independently associated with breast cancer risk. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study (N = 15 254) and a nested case-control study (of 208 women with breast cancer and 436 control subjects) among women aged 28 years or older who had a screening mammography examination and hip BMD measurement within 2 years. Breast density for 3105 of the women was classified using the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) categories, and percentage mammographic breast density among the case patients and control subjects was quantified with a computer-based threshold method. Spearman rank partial correlation coefficient and Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to examine correlations between BI-RADS breast density and BMD and between percentage mammographic breast density and BMD, respectively, in women without breast cancer. Logistic regression was used to examine the association of breast cancer with percentage mammographic breast density and BMD. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Neither BI-RADS breast density nor percentage breast density was correlated with hip or spine BMD (correlation coefficient = −.02 and −.01 for BI-RADS, respectively, and −2.06 and .01 for percentage breast density, respectively). Neither hip BMD nor spine BMD had a statistically significant relationship with breast cancer risk. Women with breast density in the highest sextile had an approximately threefold increased risk of breast cancer compared with women in the lowest sextile (odds ratio: 2.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.4–5.4); adjusting for hip or spine BMD did not change the association between breast density and breast cancer risk. Conclusion: Breast density is strongly associated with increased risk of breast cancer, even after taking into account reproductive and hormonal risk factors, whereas BMD, although a possible marker of lifetime exposure to estrogen, is not. Thus, a component of breast density that is independent of estrogen-mediated effects may contribute to breast cancer risk.


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