Mammographic Breast Density, Benign Breast Disease, and Subsequent Breast Cancer Risk in 3.9 Million Korean Women

Abstract

Background: Mammographic breast density and benign breast disease are strong risk factors for breast cancer. Accordingly, women with both risk factors may have a markedly high risk for developing breast cancer. Purpose: To investigate the risk of breast cancer associated with the combination of mammographic density and benign breast disease in Korean women, where population-based mammographic breast cancer screening is provided for all women aged at least 40 years. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of data from a nationwide breast cancer screening program linked with the national cancer registry. The study included Korean women between 40-74 years of age screened for breast cancer between January 2009 and December 2010 and observed up to December 2020 (median follow-up of 10.6 years). Benign breast disease and breast density were extracted from mammography screening results. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for breast cancer risk. Results: In this study, 3 911 348 women (mean age, 53 years +/- 9 [SD]) were analyzed. During follow-up (median, 10.6 years), 58 321 women developed breast cancer. At screening, 10 729 (18.4%) cases of benign breast disease were detected among women who developed breast cancer. Women with extremely dense breasts (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System [BI-RADS] density category D) and benign breast disease had a greater risk of breast cancer when compared with women presenting with fatty breast (BI-RADS density category A) and those without benign breast disease (HR, 2.75; 95% CI: 2.63, 2.88; P < .001). Women with benign breast disease and fatty breasts (HR, 1.49; 95% CI: 1.40, 1.58; P < .001) and women with extremely dense breasts and without benign breast disease (HR, 2.28; 95% CI: 2.20, 2.35; P < .001) also had an elevated breast cancer risk compared with women with fatty breast tissue. Conclusion: Women with dense breasts and benign breast disease at screening mammography had an elevated risk of future breast cancer. (C) RSNA, 2022