Open AccessHigh mammographic breast density and its implications for the early detection of breast cancer
Author(s) -
Carla H. van Gils,
J.D.M. Otten,
Jan H. C. L. Hendriks,
Roland Holland,
Huub Straatman,
A.L.M. Verbeek
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of medical screening
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1475-5793
pISSN - 0969-1413
DOI - 10.1136/jms.6.4.200
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , mammography , breast cancer screening , breast density , stage (stratigraphy) , breast screening , gynecology , obstetrics , cancer , oncology , paleontology , biology
Objectives Women with high mammographic breast density are at increased risk of breast cancer. This study explores whether these women should receive intensified screening (more frequent screening or screening with alternative techniques that increase the length of the preclinical detectable phase) to reduce further breast cancer mortality. Methods Mathematical models were used to estimate the effects of intensified screening in women with high breast density. The effects were expressed as a reduction in the number of interval cancers. Results If women with >25% breast density (comprising about one fifth of all women) are screened annually instead of biennially, an 18% reduction in the total number of interval cancers can be expected. Screening these women with alternative screening techniques biennially may produce the same reduction, provided that these techniques double the mean lead time. Conclusions By screening women with dense breasts more intensively, many more breast cancers can theoretically be detected at an early stage. The results provide an early indication of what may be expected from screening strategies. Next, cost-benefit analyses are needed.