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Breastfeeding and Mammographic Breast Density: A Cross-sectional Study
Kayla R Getz1, Babatunde Adedokun2, Shuai Xu1
1Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Cancer Prevention Research (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|March 17, 2023
Summary
Breastfeeding for up to 6 months may lower mammographic breast density (MBD) in women with a lower BMI. This effect was not observed in women with higher BMI, suggesting BMI modifies the breastfeeding-MBD association.
Area of Science:
- Radiology and Imaging
- Oncology
- Public Health
Background:
- Breastfeeding is linked to reduced breast cancer risk.
- The relationship between breastfeeding and mammographic breast density (MBD) requires further clarification.
- MBD is a significant risk factor for breast cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between breastfeeding and volumetric measures of MBD, including volumetric percent density (VPD), dense volume (DV), and non-dense volume (NDV).
- To determine if this association differs by race, menopausal status, or body mass index (BMI).
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 964 women undergoing screening mammography.
- Employed multivariable linear regression models, adjusting for relevant covariates.
- Analyzed log10 transformed VPD, DV, and NDV, with subgroup analyses based on BMI, race, and menopausal status.
Main Results:
- Breastfeeding for 0-6 months was associated with a 12% reduction in VPD compared to nulliparous women.
- Breastfeeding showed an inverse association with DV across different durations.
- BMI modified the breastfeeding-VPD association; lower VPD was observed in women with BMI < 25 kg/m2 who breastfed for 0-6 months, but not in those with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2.
Conclusions:
- The association between breastfeeding and VPD is modified by BMI, but not significantly by race or menopausal status.
- Breastfeeding for up to 6 months may reduce MBD in women with a lower BMI (< 25 kg/m2).
- Further research is needed to explore breastfeeding's impact on other mammographic features and its role in mediating breast cancer risk.
