Hormonal determinants of mammographic density and density change

Mammographic density (MD) is a strong risk factor for breast cancer. We examined how endogenous plasma hormones are associated with average MD area (cm²) and annual MD change (cm²/year).

This study within the prospective KARMA cohort included analyses of plasma hormones of 1040 women. Hormones from the progestogen (n = 3), androgen (n = 7), oestrogen (n = 2) and corticoid (n = 5) pathways were analysed by ultra-performance supercritical fluid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPSFC-MS/MS), as well as peptide hormones and proteins (n = 2). MD was measured as a dense area using the STRATUS method (mean over the left and right breasts) and mean annual MD change over time.

Greater baseline mean MD was associated with overall higher concentrations of progesterone (average + 1.29 cm² per doubling of hormone concentration), 17OH-progesterone (+ 1.09 cm²), oesterone sulphate (+ 1.42 cm²), prolactin (+ 2.11 cm²) and SHBG (+ 4.18 cm²), and inversely associated with 11-deoxycortisol (- 1.33 cm²). The association between MD and progesterone was confined to the premenopausal women only. The overall annual MD change was - 0.8 cm². Hormones from the androgen pathway were statistically significantly associated with MD change. The annual MD change was - 0.96 cm² and - 1.16 cm² lesser, for women in the highest quartile concentrations of testosterone and free testosterone, respectively, compared to those with the lowest concentrations.

Our results suggest that, whereas hormones from the progestogen, oestrogen and corticoid pathways drive baseline MD, MD change over time is mainly driven by androgens. This study emphasises the complexity of risk factors for breast cancer and their mechanisms of action.