2023-05-03 10:00:00
Breast cancer remains to this day one of the deadliest cancers in women. That’s why doctors recommend regular screening exams, including a mammogram. And in view of the work of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, this review may shed light on a risk factor that can be used so far: breast density.
Breast: breast density decreases in all women over the years
The study, published in the journal JAMA Oncology April 27, suggests that breast density may be an influential factor in determining whether a woman has an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Breast density corresponds to the percentage of glandular tissue and dense breast tissue in relation to adipose tissue, which is considered to be not very dense.
By observing the annual mammograms performed by 10,481 participants between November 3, 2008 and October 31, 2020, the researchers noticed that breast density decreases over the years in all women. They also discovered that those whose breast density decreased more slowly were more likely to develop a malignant tumor in the breast.
Breast cancer: breast density should be monitored
These findings might have important implications for screening care, the scientists say.
“Collecting and assessing breast density over time should be part of standard screening care”explained Dr. Graham A. Colditz, deputy director of the Institute of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis and one of the authors of the study to the journal Healio. “Additionally, breast cancer risk models should be refined to include the trajectory of density change in each breast as an indicator of risk beyond a simple single density measurement”he added.
This regular assessment might help to better identify women at risk of breast cancer.
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