Multiple metabolic risk factors and mammographic breast density

Abstract Purpose We examined whether obesity and a history of diabetes, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol, individually and in combination, are associated with breast density, a strong risk factor for breast cancer. Methods We measured percent density and dense area using a computer-assisted me...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of epidemiology 2014-06, Vol.24 (6), p.479-483
Main Authors: Tehranifar, Parisa, DrPH, Reynolds, Diane, EdD, Fan, Xiaozhou, MS, Boden-Albala, Bernadette, DrPH, Engmann, Natalie J., MSc, Flom, Julie D., MPH, Terry, Mary Beth, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Breast Density
Breast Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging
Breast Neoplasms - epidemiology
Breast Neoplasms - metabolism
Cholesterol
Comorbidity
Diabetes
Female
Humans
Hypertension
Internal Medicine
Linear Models
Mammary Glands, Human - abnormalities
Mammary Glands, Human - metabolism
Mammographic breast density
Mammography - methods
Metabolic Syndrome - epidemiology
Middle Aged
Obesity
Risk Factors
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Summary:Abstract Purpose We examined whether obesity and a history of diabetes, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol, individually and in combination, are associated with breast density, a strong risk factor for breast cancer. Methods We measured percent density and dense area using a computer-assisted method ( n  = 191; age range = 40–61 years). We used linear regression models to examine the associations of each metabolic condition and the number of metabolic conditions (zero, one, two, and three or four conditions) with breast density. Results Among individual metabolic conditions, only high blood cholesterol was inversely associated with percent density (β = −5.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −8.5, −2.2) and dense area (β = −6.7, 95% CI = −11.1, −2.4). Having multiple metabolic conditions was also associated with lower breast density, with two conditions and three or four conditions versus zero conditions associated with 6.4% (95% CI: −11.2, −1.6) and 7.4% (95% CI: −12.9, −1.9) reduction in percent density and with 6.5 cm2 (95% CI: −13.1, −0.1) and 9.5 cm2 (95% CI: −17.1, −1.9) decrease in dense area. Conclusions A history of high blood cholesterol and multiple metabolic conditions were associated with lower relative and absolute measures of breast density. The positive association between metabolic abnormalities and breast cancer risk may be driven by pathways unrelated to mammographic breast density.
ISSN:1047-2797
1873-2585
DOI:10.1016/j.annepidem.2014.02.011