Breast density linked to higher breast cancer risk in over 65s

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-08-27 01:00

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Women over 65 with dense breast tissue may be at higher risk of invasive breast cancer, according to a study out of the US. Women with dense breasts have more fibrous and glandular tissue and less fatty tissue in their breasts, and this means their breast tissue appears more opaque on a mammogram. The study found breast density was linked with increased breast cancer risk among women aged 65 to 74 years regardless of their body mass index (BMI) and among those aged 75 or older with a BMI of 25 or higher. Breast density had previously been linked with breast cancer risk in younger women but there has been limited evidence among women aged 65 years or older.

Media release

From: JAMA

Examining Association of Breast Density, Breast Cancer Risk Among Older Women

JAMA Network Open
Original Investigation

Association of Breast Density With Breast Cancer Risk Among Women Aged 65 Years or Older by Age Group and Body Mass Index

JAMA Network Open
Invited Commentary

Breast Density, Risk of Breast Cancer, and Screening Mammography in Women 75 Years and Older

What The Study Did: This study investigated the association between breast density and the risk of invasive breast cancer among women age 65 or older and whether the association was affected by body mass index.

Authors: Dejana Braithwaite, Ph.D., M.Sc., of the University of Florida in Gainesville, is the corresponding author.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Florida, USA

Funder: This study was supported by grant 1R01CA207361 from the NCI, NIH (Dr Braithwaite) and grants P01CA154292, U54CA163303, and R01CA149365 from the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (Drs Miglioretti and Kerlikowske) with funding from the NCI. Cancer and vital status data collection was supported in part by several state public health departments and cancer registries

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