title: Adiposity, breast density, and breast cancer risk: epidemiological and biological considerations.
abstract: Excess total body fat and abdominal adipose tissue are recognized risk factors for metabolic diseases but also for some types of cancers, including breast cancer. Several biological mechanisms in connection with local and systemic effects of adiposity are believed to be implicated in breast cancer development, and may involve breast fat. Breast adipose tissue can be studied through mammography by looking at breast density features such as the nondense area mainly composed of fat, or the percent breast density, which is the proportion of fibroglandular tissue in relation to fat. The relation between adiposity, breast density features, and breast cancer is complex. Studies suggest a paradoxical association as adiposity and absolute nondense area correlate positively with each other, but in contrast to adiposity, absolute nondense area seems to be associated negatively with breast cancer risk. As breast density is one of the strongest risk factors for breast cancer, it is therefore critical to understand how these factors interrelate. In this review, we discuss these relations by first presenting how adiposity measurements and breast density features are linked to breast cancer risk. Then, we used a systematic approach to capture the literature to review the relation between adiposity and breast density features. Finally, the role of adipose tissue in carcinogenesis is discussed briefly from a biological perspective.
authors: Departments of aSocial and Preventive Medicine bMolecular Medicine, Cancer Research Center, Laval University, 2325 rue de l'Université cCHU de Québec Research Center dDeschênes-Fabia Center for Breast Diseases, Saint-Sacrement Hospital, 1050 Chemin Ste-Foy eCHU de Québec Research Center, CHUL, 2724 Laurier Boulevard fDepartment of Nutrition, Laval University, 2425 rue de l'Agriculture, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada gDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO) Geneva, 25 rue des Caroubiers, Carouge, Switzerland.
authors: Ludivine
authors: L
authors: Soguel
authors: Francine
authors: F
authors: Durocher
authors: André
authors: A
authors: Tchernof
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Diorio
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D000071060:Breast Density / Q000502:physiology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors