MAMMOGRAPHIC DENSITY AND THE RISK AND DETECTION OF BREAST CANCER

Abstract

With the increase in breast cancer risk over the years, there are many factors estimated that lead to it. However, till date which factor is majorly involved in development of breast cancer or which factor accounts more is not clearly evident. Mammography technique accounting for 80-90% of cancer being detected is believed to be the best method of detection. While mammographic density is manifested by increased proliferation of fat, stoma, epithelium and connective tissue, it is considered to be a risk factor for development of breast cancer. The current study was thus conducted to find out whether the mammographic density is actually a risk factor for development of breast cancer and to find out the better detection tool available. For this, the methodology adopted was review of various journals and studies already published with respect to mammographic density and its risk on development of breast cancer. The conclusion of the current study as well as from another comparable study was that the frequency of screening might be dependent on breast density and in such cases diagnostic techniques such as “digital mammography, ultra sonography and magnetic resonance imaging” may prove to be better detection tools. Moreover, recent studies have also suggested that mammographic density as a marker for risk of developing breast cancer holds true however, this fact needs to be evaluated further.