Mammographic densities and risk of breast cancer

Abstract

To determine the relation of mammographic densities to subsequent breast cancer risk, a case-control study was undertaken using prediagnostic mammograms of screening program participants. Mammograms of cases (n = 266) and controls (n = 301) were blindly assessed for mammographic densities, which were measured by planimetry. The odds of breast cancer increased steadily with increasing breast density (test for trend, P < 0.0001). Breast cancer odds was 1.7 for densities between 5% and 24.9%, 2.5 for 25% through 44.9%, 3.8 for 45% through 64%, and 4.3 for densities of 65% and greater (referent = 4% densities). Odds ratios also increased with increasing densities among women with the P2 and DY mammographic patterns. These findings suggest that the percentage of mammographic densities in the breast can predict breast cancer risk more accurately than a qualitative assessment of mammographic patterns. Cancer 672833-2838,1991. N MAMMOGRAPHY, normal cancer-free breast tissue 0 represents a continuum of breast types ranging from fatty breasts with no measurable mammographic densities to those displaying extensive regions of density. Mam-mographic densities are areas of breast tissue seen radio-graphically over and above that of fat. The densities are composed of epithelial and connective tissue, the type of tissue from which most breast neoplasms develop. To determine whether the extent of mammographic densities is associated with risk of breast cancer, Wolfe et

Insulin-like growth factor-1, growth hormone, and daily cycling estrogen are associated with mammographic density in premenopausal women

“…It has also been found that during lactation, IGF-1 plays an important role in the maintenance of the adult mammary gland [48][49][50]. Furthermore, percent mammographic density refers to the structure of the adipose, epithelial and connective tissue in the breast [51]. Thus, the growth factors and estrogens in combination, are key factors in proliferation of breast cells and are potential drivers for breast cancer development [41].…”

Associations of adult measures of childhood growth with breast cancer: findings from the British Women's Heart and Health Study

“…It has been hypothesised that breast size predicts a woman's risk of breast cancer because of increased breast cell numbers, and both chest size (as indicated by bra size) and breast size (as indicated by cup size) have been found to predict breast cancer (Egan et al, 1999). Breast density, a marker of cellularity of the breast, is related to breast cancer (Saftlas et al, 1991), suggesting that associations between measures of breast size and breast cancer may reflect greater numbers of breast cells leading to increased risk.…”

Mammographic density and the risk of breast cancer in Japanese women

“…These methods have included the estimation of the percentage of mammographically detected fibro-glandular breast tissue with epithelial and connective tissue elements (as mammographic density). Harvey and Bovbjerg (2003) reviewed 12 studies reporting the association of mammographic density measured with quantitative methods to breast cancer risk (Boyd et al, 1982(Boyd et al, , 1995Brisson et al, 1982Brisson et al, , 1984Brisson et al, , 1989Wolfe et al, 1987;Saftlas et al 1991;Byrne et al, 1995;Kato et al, 1995;Van Gills et al, 1999;Lam et al, 2000;Maskarinec and Meng, 2000). All of these studies have shown moderate to strong associations of increased breast cancer risk with increased levels of mammographic density.…”