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Updated: Jul 11, 2026
09:36
Changes in Mammary Gland Morphology and Breast Cancer Risk in Rats
Published on: October 16, 2010
Mammographic density and dietary patterns: the multiethnic cohort
Yumie Takata1, Gertraud Maskarinec, Song-Yi Park
1Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, USA. ytakata@crch.hawaii.edu
Summary
Dietary patterns show a small association with mammographic density, a breast cancer risk factor. While a
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Nutritional Science
- Radiology
Background:
- Mammographic density is a significant risk factor for breast cancer.
- Dietary patterns may influence breast density, but evidence is limited.
- Understanding these associations can inform breast cancer prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and mammographic density.
- To assess if specific dietary patterns are associated with increased or decreased breast density.
- To explore these associations within a multiethnic cohort.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study nested within the Multiethnic Cohort (Hawaii component).
- Included 1250 premenopausal and postmenopausal women with 3512 prediagnostic mammograms.
- Quantified mammographic density using computer-assisted assessment and analyzed dietary patterns via factor analysis of Food Frequency Questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Identified three main dietary patterns: 'fat and meat', 'vegetables', and 'fruit and milk'.
- Overall, differences in breast density across dietary pattern quartiles were small and not statistically significant.
- A 'fat and meat' pattern showed a non-significant trend towards higher density; 'vegetables' showed a weak inverse association among Japanese women.
Conclusions:
- Meat and plant-based dietary patterns appear related to mammographic density.
- The influence of diet on mammographic density is likely small.
- Both dietary patterns and single dietary factors provide informative insights into breast density associations.
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