Mammographic Density Changes over Time and Breast Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between mammographic density changes over time and the risk of breast cancer. We performed a systematic literature review based on the PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases. A meta-analysis was conducted by computing extracted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cohort studies or odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval using inverse variance method. Of the nine studies included, five were cohort studies that used HR as a measurement type for their statistical analysis and four were case-control or cohort studies that used OR as a measurement type. Increased breast density over time in cohort studies was associated with higher breast cancer risk (HR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.33-1.96) whereas decreased breast density over time was associated with lower breast cancer risk (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.71-0.87). Similarly, increased breast density over time was associated with higher breast cancer risk in studies presented ORs (pooled OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.29-2.65). Our findings imply that an increase in breast density over time seems to be linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, whereas a decrease in breast density over time seems to be linked to a lower risk of breast cancer.