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Mammographic densities as a marker of human breast cancer risk and their use in chemoprevention

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Abstract

Differences in the parenchymal pattern of the breast on mammography reflect differences in the amounts of stromal, epithelial, and fat tissue present in the breast. Stroma and epithelium are radiologically dense, whereas fat is lucent. Extensive areas of mammographically dense breast tissue are strongly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. A variety of interventions, including gonadotropin-releasing hormone inhibitor, tamoxifen, stopping hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and adopting a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet, all influence the tissue composition of the breast and reduce mammographic densities. Of the interventions examined to date, only tamoxifen has been shown to reduce the incidence of breast cancer, at least in the short term. Conversely, HRT, which increases density, also increases risk of breast cancer. These results suggest that mammographic density may be a short-term marker of the effect on the breast of potential preventive interventions for breast cancer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Epidemiology and Statistics, Ontario Cancer Institute, Room 10-415, 610 University Avenue, M5G 2M9, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Norman F. Boyd MD, DSc, FRCPC, Lisa J. Martin MSc, Jennifer Stone MSc, Cary Greenberg BASc, Salomon Minkin PhD & Martin J. Yaffe PhD

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  1. Norman F. Boyd MD, DSc, FRCPC
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  2. Lisa J. Martin MSc
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  3. Jennifer Stone MSc
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  4. Cary Greenberg BASc
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  5. Salomon Minkin PhD
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  6. Martin J. Yaffe PhD
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Boyd, N.F., Martin, L.J., Stone, J. et al. Mammographic densities as a marker of human breast cancer risk and their use in chemoprevention. Curr Oncol Rep 3, 314–321 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-001-0083-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-001-0083-7

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