Breast density in women with premature ovarian failure or postmenopausal women using hormone therapy: analytical cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
Studies on postmenopausal women have reported increased risk of breast cancer relating to the type and duration of hormone therapy (HT) used. Women with premature ovarian failure (POF) represent a challenge, since they require prolonged HT. Little is known about the impact of prolonged HT use on these women's breasts. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of one type of HT on the breast density of women with POF, compared with postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp).


METHODS
31 women with POF and 31 postmenopausal women, all using HT consisting of conjugated equine estrogen combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate, and matched according to HT duration, were studied. Mammography was performed on all subjects and was analyzed by means of digitization or Wolfe's classification, stratified into two categories: non-dense (N1 and P1 patterns) and dense (P2 and Dy).


RESULTS
No significant difference in breast density was found between the two groups through digitization or Wolfe's classification. From digitization, the mean breast density was 24.1% ± 14.6 and 18.1% ± 17.2 in the POF and postmenopausal groups, respectively (P = 0.15). Wolfe's classification identified dense breasts in 51.6% and 29.0%, respectively (P = 0.171).


CONCLUSIONS
There was no difference in breast density between the women with POF and postmenopausal women, who had used HT for the same length of time. These results may help towards compliance with HT use among women with POF.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidade Estadual de São Paulo, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Patrícia Magda
PM
Soares
César
C
Cabello
Luis Alberto
LA
Magna
Eduardo
E
Tinois
Cristina Laguna
CL
Benetti-Pinto
D000328:Adult; D001940:Breast / Q000187:drug effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000187:drug effects*; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors