Background: A family history of breast cancer is known to increase risk of the disease, but other genetic and environmental factors that modify this risk are likely to exist. One of these factors is mammographic density, and we have sought evidence that it is associated with increased risk of breast cancer among women with a family history of breast cancer.
Methods: We used data from a nested case-control study based on the Canadian National Breast Screening Study (NBSS). From 354 case patients with incident breast cancer detected at least 12 months after entry into the NBSS and 354 matched control subjects, we analyzed subjects who were identified as having a family history of breast cancer according to one of three, nonmutually exclusive, criteria. We compared the mammographic densities of case patients and control subjects by radiologic and computer-assisted methods of measurement.
Results: After adjustment for other risk factors for breast cancer, the relative risks (RRs) between the most and least extensive categories of breast density were as follows: For at least one first-degree relative with breast cancer, RR = 11.14 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.54-80.39); for at least two affected first- or second-degree relatives, RR = 2.57 (95% CI = 0.23-28.22); for at least one first- or second-degree relative with breast cancer, RR = 5.43 (95% CI = 1.85-15.88).
Conclusions: These results suggest that mammographic density may be strongly associated with risk of breast cancer among women with a family history of the disease. Because mammographic densities can be modified by dietary and hormonal interventions, the results suggest potential approaches to the prevention of breast cancer in women with a family history of breast cancer.