Race May Not Impact Endocrine Therapy-Related Changes in Breast Density

Reduction in breast density may be a biomarker of endocrine therapy (ET) efficacy. Our objective was to assess the impact of race on ET-related changes in volumetric breast density (VBD).

This retrospective cohort study assessed longitudinal changes in VBD measures in women with estrogen receptor-positive invasive breast cancer treated with ET. VBD, the ratio of fibroglandular volume (FGV) to breast volume (BV), was measured using Volpara software. Changes in measurements were evaluated using a multivariable linear mixed effects model.

Compared with white women (n = 191), black women (n = 107) had higher rates of obesity [mean ± SD body mass index (BMI) 34.5 ± 9.1 kg/m² vs. 30.6 ± 7.0 kg/m², P < 0.001] and premenopausal status (32.7% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.002). Age- and BMI-adjusted baseline FGV, BV, and VBD were similar between groups. Modeled longitudinal changes were also similar: During a follow-up of 30.7 ± 15.0 months (mean ± SD), FGV decreased over time in premenopausal women (slope = -0.323 cm³; SE = 0.093; P = 0.001), BV increased overall (slope = 2.475 cm³; SE = 0.483; P < 0.0001), and VBD decreased (premenopausal slope = -0.063%, SE = 0.011; postmenopausal slope = -0.016%, SE = 0.004; P < 0.0001). Race was not significantly associated with these longitudinal changes, nor did race modify the effect of time on these changes. Higher BMI was associated with lower baseline VBD (P < 0.0001). Among premenopausal women, VBD declined more steeply for women with lower BMI (time × BMI, P = 0.0098).

Race does not appear to impact ET-related longitudinal changes in VBD.

Racial disparities in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer recurrence and mortality may not be explained by differential declines in breast density due to ET.