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Mammographic density in a multiethnic cohort.
Laurel A Habel1, Angela M Capra, Nina Oestreicher
1Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA 94612, USA. Laurel.Habel@kp.org
Menopause (New York, N.Y.)
|April 7, 2007
Summary
Mammographic density varies significantly across racial/ethnic groups, with African American women showing the highest percent density and Japanese women the lowest. Acculturation levels also impact breast density in Asian women.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Epidemiology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Mammographic density is a key breast cancer risk factor.
- Racial and ethnic variations in mammographic density are observed but not fully understood.
- Acculturation may influence health behaviors and outcomes, potentially affecting breast density.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare mammographic density across four racial/ethnic groups (White, African American, Japanese, Chinese) in premenopausal and early perimenopausal women.
- To investigate the relationship between acculturation and mammographic density in Japanese and Chinese women.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN).
- Assessed mammograms for area and percent density in 701 participants.
- Employed multiple linear regression to analyze associations between race/ethnicity, acculturation, and density measures.
Main Results:
- Age-adjusted percent density was highest in Chinese women (52%) and lowest in African American women (34%).
- After adjustments, African Americans had the highest mean percent density (51%), while Japanese women had the lowest (39%).
- Less acculturated Chinese and Japanese women exhibited higher area and percent density.
Conclusions:
- Mammographic density differences did not align with current breast cancer incidence rates across these groups.
- Mammographic density was found to be higher in less acculturated Asian women, suggesting a potential role for acculturation.
