Mammographic Breast Density Evaluation in Korean Women Using Fully Automated Volumetric Assessment

The purpose was to present mean breast density of Korean women according to age using fully automated volumetric assessment. This study included 5,967 screening normal or benign mammograms (mean age, 46.2 +/- 9.7; range, 30-89 years), from cancer-screening program. We evaluated mean fibroglandular tissue volume, breast tissue volume, volumetric breast density (VBD), and the results were 53.7 +/- 30.8 cm3, 383.8 +/- 205.2 cm3, and 15.8% +/- 7.3%. The frequency of dense breasts and mean VBD by age group were 94.3% and 19.1% +/- 6.7% for the 30s (n = 1,484), 91.4% and 17.2% +/- 6.8% for the 40s (n = 2,706), 72.2% and 12.4% +/- 6.2% for the 50s (n = 1,138), 44.0% and 8.6% +/- 4.3% for the 60s (n = 89), 39.1% and 8.0% +/- 3.8% for the 70s (n = 138), and 39.1% and 8.0% +/- 3.5% for the 80s (n = 12). The frequency of dense breasts was higher in younger women (n = 4,313, 92.3%) than older women (n = 1,654, 59.8%). Mean VBD decreased with aging or menopause, and was about 16% for 46-year-old-Korean women, much higher than in other countries. The proportion of dense breasts sharply decreases in Korean women between 40 and 69 years of age.

Associations between Metabolic Syndrome and Three-dimensional Breast Density Using Digital Mammography

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased risk of breast cancer, but little is known about the association between metabolic syndrome and mammographic density as an independent predictor of breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the association between metabolic syndrome or its components and three-dimensional breast density using digital mammography. METHODS: We analyzed cross-sectional data of 166 women, aged 20 or over (61 premenopausal and 105 postmenopausal women) in a district hospital. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the modified National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) guideline. We measured volume percentage of dense breast tissue using digital mammography. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to estimate the association between mammographic density and metabolic syndrome, as well as its components. RESULTS: The Mean mammographic density was lower in the group with metabolic syndrome compared with the group without it. After adjusting for age and menopausal status, multiple regression analysis showed waist circumference (beta=-3.112, S.E.=0.927, P=0.001) and low HDL-cholesterol (beta=-2.967, S.E.=1.109, P=0.008) were independent variables for the percentage of mammographic density, although metabolic syndrome itself was not. After additional adjustment for body mass index, only low HDL-cholesterol was associated with percentage of mammographic density (beta=-2.953, S.E.=0.882, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, only low HDL cholesterol was associated with three-dimensional mammographic density independently after adjusting for age, menopausal status and body mass index. These findings need to be confirmed in further larger prospective studies.

Sunlight Exposure and Breast Density: A Population-Based Study / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the association of sunlight exposure with breast cancer risk, measured by the breast density assessed from Tabar's mammographic pattern in Chinese women. METHODS: A total of 676 premenopausal women were recruited to participate in this study, in which 650 completed a validated sunlight exposure questionnaire via telephone. The mammograms were classified according to Tabar's classification for parenchyma, and patterns IV & V and I, II & III indicated respectively high and low risk mammographic patterns for breast cancer. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for sun exposure-related variables were estimated using unconditional logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 646 participants, women with high breast cancer risk (Tabar's patterns IV &V) had less hours spent in the sun than those with low risk (I, II & III) at any age stage. A higher level of sunlight exposure was associated with a significantly lower risk having high risk Tabar's pattern. Women aged 40 to 44 years who were in the highest tertile of lifetime total hours spent in the sun had a multi-adjusted OR of 0.41 (95% CI, 0.18-0.92; p for trend=0.03) compared with those in the lowest tertile (>2.19 hr/day vs. <1.32 hr/day). For hours spent in the sun across the ages of 6 to 12 years, the comparable OR was 0.37 (95% CI, 0.15-0.91; p for trend=0.03). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that higher sunlight exposure is related to a lower risk of having high risk breast density pattern in premenopausal women. Our results also suggest the most relevant period of exposure is during earlier life.

Prevalence of the STK15 F31I polymorphism and its relationship with mammographic density

Several studies have identified the single nucleotide polymorphism STK15 F31I as a low-penetrance risk allele for breast cancer, but its prevalence and risk association in the Brazilian population have not been determined. The goal of this study was to identify the frequency of this polymorphism in the Brazilian setting. Considering the high degree of admixture of our population, it is of fundamental importance to validate the results already reported in the literature and also to verify the relationship between this variant and breast cancer risk. A total of 750 women without breast cancer were genotyped using the TaqMan PCR assay for STK15 F31I polymorphism. Clinical information was obtained from review of the medical records and mammographic density from the images obtained using the BI-RADS System. The estimated risk of developing cancer was calculated according to the Gail model. The genotypic frequencies observed in this study were 4.5, 38.7, and 56.6 percent, respectively, for the STK15 F31I AA, AT and TT genotypes. The AT and AA genotypes were encountered significantly more often in premenopausal women with moderately dense, dense and heterogeneously dense breast tissue (P = 0.023). In addition, the presence of the TT genotype was significantly associated with age at menarche ≥12 years (P = 0.023). High mammographic density, associated with increased breast cancer risk, was encountered more frequently in premenopausal women with the risk genotypes STK15 F31I AA and AT. The genotypic frequencies observed in our Brazilian sample were similar to those described in other predominantly European populations.

Impact of Oral Levonorgestrel for 1 Year on Mammographic Density in Menopausal Hormone Therapy / 대한폐경학회지

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated changes in mammographic density (MMGD) after hormone therapy (HT) using levonorgestrel (LNG) in Korean postmenopausal women. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 58 healthy postmenopausal women with no history of prior HT were included. Twenty-three women were given a cyclic regimen of estradiol valerate (E) 2 mg/day + LNG 0.075 mg/day and 25 untreated women served as a negative control and 10 women treated with continuous combined regimen of conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) 0.625 mg/day + medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 2.5 mg/day as a positive control. Mammography was obtained at baseline and 1 year later, and MMGD was assessed. In addition, the change in the proportion of the dense area after HT was assessed using the J-image program. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance and chi-square or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics among three groups. After 1 year of HT, increase of BI-RADS grade in CEE + MPA group (7/9, 77.8%) was higher than in E + LNG group (2/16, 12.5%; P = 0.001). But there was no difference between untreated group (1/19, 5.3%) and E + LNG group (2/16, 12.5%; P = 0.446). In subgroup analysis of women with BI-RADS grade 3 at baseline, no significant difference. Changes in the proportion of dense areas assessed by the J-image program showed similar results. Regression analysis revealed that there was no correlation between baseline dense area and changes after HT in E + LNG group. CONCLUSION: HT using LNG did not influence MMGD in Korean postmenopausal women. Further study on breast cancer risk may be needed.

Impact of Oral Levonorgestrel for 1 Year on Mammographic Density in Menopausal Hormone Therapy / 대한폐경학회지

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated changes in mammographic density (MMGD) after hormone therapy (HT) using levonorgestrel (LNG) in Korean postmenopausal women. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 58 healthy postmenopausal women with no history of prior HT were included. Twenty-three women were given a cyclic regimen of estradiol valerate (E) 2 mg/day + LNG 0.075 mg/day and 25 untreated women served as a negative control and 10 women treated with continuous combined regimen of conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) 0.625 mg/day + medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 2.5 mg/day as a positive control. Mammography was obtained at baseline and 1 year later, and MMGD was assessed. In addition, the change in the proportion of the dense area after HT was assessed using the J-image program. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance and chi-square or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics among three groups. After 1 year of HT, increase of BI-RADS grade in CEE + MPA group (7/9, 77.8%) was higher than in E + LNG group (2/16, 12.5%; P = 0.001). But there was no difference between untreated group (1/19, 5.3%) and E + LNG group (2/16, 12.5%; P = 0.446). In subgroup analysis of women with BI-RADS grade 3 at baseline, no significant difference. Changes in the proportion of dense areas assessed by the J-image program showed similar results. Regression analysis revealed that there was no correlation between baseline dense area and changes after HT in E + LNG group. CONCLUSION: HT using LNG did not influence MMGD in Korean postmenopausal women. Further study on breast cancer risk may be needed.

Impact of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate by Type of Combined Oral Estrogen on Mammographic Density in Korean Postmenopausal Women / 대한폐경학회지

OBJECTIVES: We determined if the impact of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) co-administered with conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) or estropipate differed on mammographic density (MMGD) in Korean postmenopausal women. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 53 healthy postmenopausal women without prior hormone therapy (HT) use were included. Smokers, habitual drinkers, women with a body mass index > or = 27 kg/m2, and women with a history of mammoplasty or breast cancer were excluded. HT using MPA (n = 26) consisted of the following two groups: CEE (n = 10) and estropipate (n = 16). Twenty-seven untreated women served as the control group. Mammography was obtained at baseline and 1 year later, and MMGD was assessed based on the breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) by one radiologist who was blinded to treatment. In addition, the change in the proportion of the dense area after HT was assessed using the J-image program. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance and chi-square or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics and MMGD among the three groups. After 1 year of HT, CEE (7/10 [70%]; P < 0.001) and estropipate (3/16 [18.8%]; P = 0.002) regimens significantly elevated the BI-RADS grade compared with controls (0%), and CEE induced a greater increase in MMGD than estropipate (P = 0.033). In addition, the proportion of dense areas assessed using the J-image program increased more with the CEE regimen (7.67%) than the estropipate regimen (1.48%), but there was no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Estropipate + MPA had a less stimulating effect on MMGD than CEE + MPA in Korean postmenopausal women. The change in MMGD induced with MPA might depend on the oral estrogen preparation. A further study on breast cancer risk based on combination HT is warranted.

Impact of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate by Type of Combined Oral Estrogen on Mammographic Density in Korean Postmenopausal Women / 대한폐경학회지

OBJECTIVES: We determined if the impact of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) co-administered with conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) or estropipate differed on mammographic density (MMGD) in Korean postmenopausal women. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 53 healthy postmenopausal women without prior hormone therapy (HT) use were included. Smokers, habitual drinkers, women with a body mass index > or = 27 kg/m2, and women with a history of mammoplasty or breast cancer were excluded. HT using MPA (n = 26) consisted of the following two groups: CEE (n = 10) and estropipate (n = 16). Twenty-seven untreated women served as the control group. Mammography was obtained at baseline and 1 year later, and MMGD was assessed based on the breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) by one radiologist who was blinded to treatment. In addition, the change in the proportion of the dense area after HT was assessed using the J-image program. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance and chi-square or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline clinical characteristics and MMGD among the three groups. After 1 year of HT, CEE (7/10 [70%]; P < 0.001) and estropipate (3/16 [18.8%]; P = 0.002) regimens significantly elevated the BI-RADS grade compared with controls (0%), and CEE induced a greater increase in MMGD than estropipate (P = 0.033). In addition, the proportion of dense areas assessed using the J-image program increased more with the CEE regimen (7.67%) than the estropipate regimen (1.48%), but there was no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSION: Estropipate + MPA had a less stimulating effect on MMGD than CEE + MPA in Korean postmenopausal women. The change in MMGD induced with MPA might depend on the oral estrogen preparation. A further study on breast cancer risk based on combination HT is warranted.

Mammographic Breast Density and Risk Factors of Breast Cancer in Korean Women Using Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND: Density patterns on mammography have been related to the risk factors for breast cancer in the western countries. High mammographic density appears to confer a 4-fold risk of breast cancer. While the proportion of high-density mammography is higher in Korean women than in Caucasian women, the incidence of breast cancer in Korean women is considerably lower. Therefore, we examined if the mammographic breast density pattern correlates with the risk factors for breast cancer in Korean women. METHODS: In a cross-sectional design, we recruited 1,758 pre- and post-menopause women without prior history of breast cancer and breast surgery who underwent screening mammogram and completed a self-administered questionnaire in 6 general hospitals. On the basis of ACR BI RADS breast composition, four density patterns were classified in caudocranial and mediolateral mammography by a designated radiologist in each hospital. Multiple linear logistic regression was used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Inter-rater reliability between the initial report and the report made by another blinded radiologist was high (Pearson's co-efficient=0.81). Overall, the age, body mass index, family history of breast cancer, and duration of hormone replacement therapy correlated with the mammographic density patterns. In pre-menopausal women, the high body mass index and parity (=2) were associated with low mammographic density. In post- menopausal women, older age, high body mass index, negative family history of breast cancer, and duration of hormone replacement therapy were associated with low mammographic density. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that the mammographic breast density patterns correlated with risk factors for breast cancer in Korean women. While the proportion of high-density mammography is higher in Korean women, the incidence of breast cancer is lower than in the western population. This maybe dependent on other unknown factors. (J Korean Acad Fam Med 2006;27: 33-41)

Increase of breast parenchymal density during hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women / 대한산부인과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To verify the increase of mammographic density in women with 1-year hormone replacement therapy(HRT). METHODS: A total of 53 HRT users who received same HRT regimen during 1 year with a normal baseline mammogram and 1-year follow-up mammogram was recruited. Seventy-three never-users were allocated as control group. RESULTS: The increase of mammographic density was observed in 22.6% of 1-year HRT users, compared with 6.8% in never-users (P=0.023). The odds ratio was 3.98 (95% CI : 1.31~12.1) in 1-year HRT users, and 8.37 (95% CI : 2.36~29.6) in continuous combined regimen group compared to control. CONCLUSION: The incidence of dense mammogram was significantly higher in women with 1-year HRT users than in control, and the risk was remarkable in continuous combined regimen group.