[Mammographic density: a valid risk factor for breast cancer?].
Whether estimated or measured, mammographic or breast density, which may be subject to physiological and therapeutic variations, is widely viewed in the literature as an important factor of increased risk for breast cancer. A high breast density, the causes of which are being refined, would increase the relative risk of breast cancer four to six fold, even though some authors direct critics at methodological flaws supporting these results. Three-dimensional imaging will confirm or refute the available results. Meanwhile, radiologists and clinicians must remain vigilant in patients with high breast density.
Boutet
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Cabinet de gynécologie, 28 rue de Norvège, 17000 La Rochelle, France. gboutetpourgof@yahoo.fr
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008593:Menopause; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors