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Breast (Edinburgh, Scotland) Dec 2022Mammographic density is a well-defined risk factor for breast cancer and having extremely dense breast tissue is associated with a one-to six-fold increased risk of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
Mammographic density is a well-defined risk factor for breast cancer and having extremely dense breast tissue is associated with a one-to six-fold increased risk of breast cancer. However, it is questioned whether this increased risk estimate is applicable to current breast density classification methods. Therefore, the aim of this study was to further investigate and clarify the association between mammographic density and breast cancer risk based on current literature.
METHODS
Medline, Embase and Web of Science were systematically searched for articles published since 2013, that used BI-RADS lexicon 5th edition and incorporated data on digital mammography. Crude and maximally confounder-adjusted data were pooled in odds ratios (ORs) using random-effects models. Heterogeneity regarding breast cancer risks were investigated using I statistic, stratified and sensitivity analyses.
RESULTS
Nine observational studies were included. Having extremely dense breast tissue (BI-RADS density D) resulted in a 2.11-fold (95% CI 1.84-2.42) increased breast cancer risk compared to having scattered dense breast tissue (BI-RADS density B). Sensitivity analysis showed that when only using data that had adjusted for age and BMI, the breast cancer risk was 1.83-fold (95% CI 1.52-2.21) increased. Both results were statistically significant and homogenous.
CONCLUSIONS
Mammographic breast density BI-RADS D is associated with an approximately two-fold increased risk of breast cancer compared to having BI-RADS density B in general population women. This is a novel and lower risk estimate compared to previously reported and might be explained due to the use of digital mammography and BI-RADS lexicon 5th edition.
Topics: Female; Humans; Breast Density; Breast Neoplasms; Mammography; Breast; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36183671
DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2022.09.007 -
Radiology Mar 2023Breast density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer. In digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis, breast density is assessed visually using the... (Review)
Review
Breast density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer. In digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis, breast density is assessed visually using the four-category scale developed by the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (5th edition as of November 2022). Epidemiologically based risk models, such as the Tyrer-Cuzick model (version 8), demonstrate superior modeling performance when mammographic density is incorporated. Beyond just density, a separate mammographic measure of breast cancer risk is parenchymal textural complexity. With advancements in radiomics and deep learning, mammographic textural patterns can be assessed quantitatively and incorporated into risk models. Other supplemental screening modalities, such as breast US and MRI, offer independent risk measures complementary to those derived from mammography. Breast US allows the two components of fibroglandular tissue (stromal and glandular) to be visualized separately in a manner that is not possible with mammography. A higher glandular component at screening breast US is associated with higher risk. With MRI, a higher background parenchymal enhancement of the fibroglandular tissue has also emerged as an imaging marker for risk assessment. Imaging markers observed at mammography, US, and MRI are powerful tools in refining breast cancer risk prediction, beyond mammographic density alone.
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Neoplasms; Breast Density; Breast; Mammography; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36749212
DOI: 10.1148/radiol.222575 -
Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in... 2020
PubMed: 33542847
DOI: 10.6004/jadpro.2020.11.1.1 -
JAMA Feb 2020Improved screening methods for women with dense breasts are needed because of their increased risk of breast cancer and of failed early diagnosis by screening... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
IMPORTANCE
Improved screening methods for women with dense breasts are needed because of their increased risk of breast cancer and of failed early diagnosis by screening mammography.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the screening performance of abbreviated breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in women with dense breasts.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
Cross-sectional study with longitudinal follow-up at 48 academic, community hospital, and private practice sites in the United States and Germany, conducted between December 2016 and November 2017 among average-risk women aged 40 to 75 years with heterogeneously dense or extremely dense breasts undergoing routine screening. Follow-up ascertainment of cancer diagnoses was complete through September 12, 2019.
EXPOSURES
All women underwent screening by both DBT and abbreviated breast MRI, performed in randomized order and read independently to avoid interpretation bias.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary end point was the invasive cancer detection rate. Secondary outcomes included sensitivity, specificity, additional imaging recommendation rate, and positive predictive value (PPV) of biopsy, using invasive cancer and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to define a positive reference standard. All outcomes are reported at the participant level. Pathology of core or surgical biopsy was the reference standard for cancer detection rate and PPV; interval cancers reported until the next annual screen were included in the reference standard for sensitivity and specificity.
RESULTS
Among 1516 enrolled women, 1444 (median age, 54 [range, 40-75] years) completed both examinations and were included in the analysis. The reference standard was positive for invasive cancer with or without DCIS in 17 women and for DCIS alone in another 6. No interval cancers were observed during follow-up. Abbreviated breast MRI detected all 17 women with invasive cancer and 5 of 6 women with DCIS. Digital breast tomosynthesis detected 7 of 17 women with invasive cancer and 2 of 6 women with DCIS. The invasive cancer detection rate was 11.8 (95% CI, 7.4-18.8) per 1000 women for abbreviated breast MRI vs 4.8 (95% CI, 2.4-10.0) per 1000 women for DBT, a difference of 7 (95% CI, 2.2-11.6) per 1000 women (exact McNemar P = .002). For detection of invasive cancer and DCIS, sensitivity was 95.7% (95% CI, 79.0%-99.2%) with abbreviated breast MRI vs 39.1% (95% CI, 22.2%-59.2%) with DBT (P = .001) and specificity was 86.7% (95% CI, 84.8%-88.4%) vs 97.4% (95% CI, 96.5%-98.1%), respectively (P < .001). The additional imaging recommendation rate was 7.5% (95% CI, 6.2%-9.0%) with abbreviated breast MRI vs 10.1% (95% CI, 8.7%-11.8%) with DBT (P = .02) and the PPV was 19.6% (95% CI, 13.2%-28.2%) vs 31.0% (95% CI, 17.0%-49.7%), respectively (P = .15).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Among women with dense breasts undergoing screening, abbreviated breast MRI, compared with DBT, was associated with a significantly higher rate of invasive breast cancer detection. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between screening methods and clinical outcome.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02933489.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Breast; Breast Density; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating; Cross-Sectional Studies; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Mammography; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 32096852
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2020.0572 -
European Radiology Jun 2022Breast density is an independent risk factor for the development of breast cancer and also decreases the sensitivity of mammography for screening. Consequently, women...
Breast density is an independent risk factor for the development of breast cancer and also decreases the sensitivity of mammography for screening. Consequently, women with extremely dense breasts face an increased risk of late diagnosis of breast cancer. These women are, therefore, underserved with current mammographic screening programs. The results of recent studies reporting on contrast-enhanced breast MRI as a screening method in women with extremely dense breasts provide compelling evidence that this approach can enable an important reduction in breast cancer mortality for these women and is cost-effective. Because there is now a valid option to improve breast cancer screening, the European Society of Breast Imaging (EUSOBI) recommends that women should be informed about their breast density. EUSOBI thus calls on all providers of mammography screening to share density information with the women being screened. In light of the available evidence, in women aged 50 to 70 years with extremely dense breasts, the EUSOBI now recommends offering screening breast MRI every 2 to 4 years. The EUSOBI acknowledges that it may currently not be possible to offer breast MRI immediately and everywhere and underscores that quality assurance procedures need to be established, but urges radiological societies and policymakers to act on this now. Since the wishes and values of individual women differ, in screening the principles of shared decision-making should be embraced. In particular, women should be counselled on the benefits and risks of mammography and MRI-based screening, so that they are capable of making an informed choice about their preferred screening method. KEY POINTS: • The recommendations in Figure 1 summarize the key points of the manuscript.
Topics: Breast; Breast Density; Breast Neoplasms; Early Detection of Cancer; Female; Humans; Mammography; Mass Screening
PubMed: 35258677
DOI: 10.1007/s00330-022-08617-6 -
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment Sep 2021A dense breast on mammogram is a strong risk factor for breast cancer. Identifying factors that reduce mammographic breast density could thus provide insight into breast...
PURPOSE
A dense breast on mammogram is a strong risk factor for breast cancer. Identifying factors that reduce mammographic breast density could thus provide insight into breast cancer prevention. Due to the limited number of studies and conflicting findings, we investigated the associations of medication use (specifically statins, aspirin, and ibuprofen) with mammographic breast density.
METHODS
We evaluated these associations in 775 women who were recruited during an annual screening mammogram at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. We measured mammographic breast density using Volpara. We used multivariable-adjusted linear regressions to determine the associations of medication use (statins, aspirin, and ibuprofen) with mammographic breast density. Least squared means were generated and back-transformed for easier interpretation.
RESULTS
The mean age of study participants was 52.9 years. Statin use in the prior 12 months was not associated with volumetric percent density or dense volume, but was positively associated with non-dense volume. The mean volumetric percent density was 8.6% among statin non-users, 7.2% among women who used statins 1-3 days/week, and 7.3% among women who used statins ≥ 4 days/week (p trend = 0.07). The non-dense volume was 1297.1 cm among statin non-users, 1368.7 cm among women who used statins 1-3 days/week, and 1408.4 cm among those who used statins ≥ 4 days/week (p trend = 0.02). We did not observe statistically significant differences in mammographic breast density by aspirin or ibuprofen use.
CONCLUSION
Statin, aspirin, and ibuprofen use was not associated with volumetric percent density and dense volume, but statin use was positively associated with non-dense volume. Any potential associations of these medications with breast cancer risk are unlikely to be mediated through an effect on volumetric percent density.
Topics: Breast; Breast Density; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Mammography; Middle Aged; Risk Factors
PubMed: 34196899
DOI: 10.1007/s10549-021-06321-5 -
International Journal of Cancer Mar 2023Early studies reported a 4- to 6-fold risk of breast cancer between women with extremely dense and fatty breasts. As most early studies were case-control studies, we...
Early studies reported a 4- to 6-fold risk of breast cancer between women with extremely dense and fatty breasts. As most early studies were case-control studies, we took advantage of a population-based screening program to study density and breast cancer incidence in a cohort design. In the Capital Region, Denmark, women aged 50 to 69 are invited to screening biennially. Women screened November 2012 to December 2017 were included, and classified by BI-RADS density code, version 4, at first screen after recruitment. Women were followed up for incident breast cancer, including ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), to 2020 in nationwide pathology data. Rate ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were compared across density groups using Poisson-regression. We included 189 609 women; 1 067 282 person-years; and 4110 incident breast cancers/DCIS. Thirty-three percent of women had BI-RADS density code 1; 38% code 2; 24% code 3; 4.7% code 4; and missing 0.3%. Using women with BI-RADS density code 1 as baseline; women with code 2 had RR 1.69 (95% CI 1.56-1.84); women with code 3, RR 2.06 (95% CI 1.89-2.25); and women with code 4, RR 2.37 (95% CI 1.05-2.74). Results differed between observations accumulated during screening and above screening age. Our results indicated less difference in breast cancer risk across level of breast density than normally stated. Translated into absolute risk of breast cancer after age 50, we found a 6.2% risk for the one-third of women with lowest density, and 14.7% for the 5% of women with highest density.
Topics: Female; Humans; Breast Neoplasms; Breast Density; Mammography; Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating; Early Detection of Cancer
PubMed: 36214783
DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34316 -
Canadian Family Physician Medecin de... Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Female; Breast Density; Mammography; Early Detection of Cancer; Breast Neoplasms; Mass Screening
PubMed: 38383013
DOI: 10.46747/cfp.700282 -
Breast Cancer Research : BCR Apr 2021Mammographic breast density (MBD) and benign breast disease (BBD) are two of the strongest risk factors for breast cancer. Understanding trends in MBD by age and parity...
BACKGROUND
Mammographic breast density (MBD) and benign breast disease (BBD) are two of the strongest risk factors for breast cancer. Understanding trends in MBD by age and parity in women with BBD is essential to the clinical management and prevention of breast cancer.
METHODS
Using data from the Early Determinants of Mammographic Density (EDMD) study, a prospective follow-up study of women born in 1959-1967, we evaluated MBD in 676 women. We used linear regression with generalized estimating equations to examine associations between self-reported BBD and MBD (percent density, dense area, and non-dense area), assessed through a computer-assisted method.
RESULTS
A prior BBD diagnosis (median age at diagnosis 32 years) was reported by 18% of our cohort. The median time from BBD diagnosis to first available study mammogram was 9.4 years (range 1.1-27.6 years). Women with BBD had a 3.44% higher percent MBD (standard error (SE) = 1.56, p-value = 0.03) on their first available mammogram than women without BBD. Compared with parous women without BBD, nulliparous women with BBD and women with a BBD diagnosis prior to first birth had 7-8% higher percent MBD (β = 7.25, SE = 2.43, p-value< 0.01 and β = 7.84, SE = 2.98, p-value = 0.01, respectively), while there was no difference in MBD in women with a BBD diagnosis after the first birth (β = -0.22, SE = 2.40, p-value = 0.93).
CONCLUSION
Women with self-reported BBD had higher mammographic breast density than women without BBD; the association was limited to women with BBD diagnosed before their first birth.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Breast Density; Breast Diseases; Breast Neoplasms; Child; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Mammography; Parity; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Young Adult
PubMed: 33902651
DOI: 10.1186/s13058-021-01426-7 -
The Oncologist Jul 2022In screening for breast cancer (BC), mammographic breast density (MBD) is a powerful risk factor that increases breast carcinogenesis and synergistically reduces the... (Review)
Review
In screening for breast cancer (BC), mammographic breast density (MBD) is a powerful risk factor that increases breast carcinogenesis and synergistically reduces the sensitivity of mammography. It also reduces specificity of lesion identification, leading to recalls, additional testing, and delayed and later-stage diagnoses, which result in increased health care costs. These findings provide the foundation for dense breast notification laws and lead to the increase in patient and provider interest in MBD. However, unlike other risk factors for BC, MBD is dynamic through a woman's lifetime and is modifiable. Although MBD is known to change as a result of factors such as reproductive history and hormonal status, few conclusions have been reached for lifestyle factors such as alcohol, diet, physical activity, smoking, body mass index (BMI), and some commonly used medications. Our review examines the emerging evidence for the association of modifiable factors on MBD and the influence of MBD on BC risk. There are clear associations between alcohol use and menopausal hormone therapy and increased MBD. Physical activity and the Mediterranean diet lower the risk of BC without significant effect on MBD. Although high BMI and smoking are known risk factors for BC, they have been found to decrease MBD. The influence of several other factors, including caffeine intake, nonhormonal medications, and vitamins, on MBD is unclear. We recommend counseling patients on these modifiable risk factors and using this knowledge to help with informed decision making for tailored BC prevention strategies.
Topics: Breast Density; Breast Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Life Style; Mammography; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35536728
DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyac084