Heller Samantha L, Hudson Sue, Wilkinson Louise S
Department of Radiology, St. George's Hospital, London, UK.
Br J Radiol. 2015;88(1055):20150242. doi: 10.1259/bjr.20150242. Epub 2015 Sep 2.
Breast density (BD) is a recognized risk factor for breast cancer. This study maps density variation across a screening population and identifies demographic distinctions, which may affect density and so impact on cancer development/detection. We focus on the relationship between age, ethnicity and socioeconomic status on density.
This retrospective study on a screening population adheres to local patient confidentiality requirements. BD data from screening mammograms (March 2013 to September 2014) were measured using Volpara((®))Density(™) software (Volpara((®))Solutions(™), Wellington, New Zealand). Demographics, including patient age, ethnicity and deprivation index, were obtained from our breast screening database and analysed with respect to breast volume (BV), fibroglandular tissue volume (FGV), Volpara %BD and Volpara Grade (1-4 scale, lowest to highest).
Study population demonstrates little difference for BV with respect to age, but a slight negative trend was noted when FGV was evaluated vs age. Density was linked to ethnicity: females of Chinese ethnicity had higher BD largely reflecting their lower BV. Females in the most deprived quintiles tended to have larger and therefore less dense breasts.
Our mapping of BD in a regional screening programme demonstrates impact of age, ethnicity and socioeconomic status on BD with attendant implications for breast cancer risk.
BD is a known risk factor for development of breast cancer. Density trends in a large regional screening population with respect to age, ethnicity and socioeconomics may eventually help identify the risk of breast cancer in certain subsets of the population.
乳腺密度（BD）是公认的乳腺癌风险因素。本研究描绘了筛查人群中的密度变化情况，并确定了可能影响密度从而影响癌症发生/检测的人口统计学差异。我们重点关注年龄、种族和社会经济地位与密度之间的关系。
这项针对筛查人群的回顾性研究遵循当地患者保密要求。使用Volpara((®))Density(™)软件（Volpara((®))Solutions(™)，新西兰惠灵顿）测量2013年3月至2014年9月筛查乳腺钼靶片的BD数据。从我们的乳腺筛查数据库中获取包括患者年龄、种族和贫困指数在内的人口统计学信息，并就乳房体积（BV）、纤维腺组织体积（FGV）、Volpara%BD和Volpara分级（1 - 4级，从最低到最高）进行分析。
研究人群的BV在年龄方面差异不大，但在评估FGV与年龄的关系时发现了轻微的负向趋势。密度与种族有关：华裔女性的BD较高，这在很大程度上反映了她们较低的BV。处于最贫困五分之一的女性往往乳房更大，因此密度更低。
我们在区域筛查项目中对BD的描绘表明，年龄、种族和社会经济地位对BD有影响，随之对乳腺癌风险产生影响。
BD是已知的乳腺癌发生风险因素。大型区域筛查人群中关于年龄、种族和社会经济状况的密度趋势最终可能有助于确定特定人群亚组中的乳腺癌风险。
