Hormonal Determinants of Mammographic Density
Abstract
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has been shown to increase breast cancer risk as well as to increase breast density. Breast density, a reflection of the histologic composition of the breast, is one factor shown to affect mammographic sensitivity and specificity, and it is predictive of breast cancer risk. Thus, the use of HRT, through its effect on breast density, may compromise the well-established reduction in mortality gained by mammographic screening. However, not all women on HRT will experience an increase in breast density. We propose a novel hypothesis to explain in part the individual variability in breast density seen among women on HRT: differences in breast density are associated with differences in estrogen metabolism, and this association may be attenuated by individual factors such as body mass Index and HRT regimen. Our work and the work of others provide compelling evidence to support this hypothesis. To date 212 cases and 399 healthy women have been enrolled in this study.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA443779
Entities
People
- Francemary Modugno
- Jennifer K. Simpson
- Joel L. Weissfeld
- Joseph P. Constantino
- Lewis Kuller
- Victor Vogel
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh