A new study published in Breast Cancer Research suggests that focusing on breast density in specific areas of the breast could improve how doctors assess cancer risk.
The research team, which included Vermont Breast Cancer Surveillance System researchers Brian Sprague, Pamela Vacek, Donald Weaver, and Sally Herschorn, analyzed data from 808 women ages 40 to 65 who underwent biopsy after abnormal mammograms.
Breast density is a well established risk factor for cancer, but it is not evenly distributed. Tumors are more likely to develop in dense tissue, yet most assessments measure density across the entire breast. To better understand risk, researchers measured density both across the whole breast and in smaller areas at and around the biopsy site. They found that higher levels of dense tissue in these localized regions were linked to both existing cancer and a greater chance of developing cancer over time.
The study followed participants for up to 10 years. Women with higher amounts of dense tissue near the biopsy site were more likely to develop breast cancer during that period. By contrast, commonly used percentage based density measures were not strongly associated with risk in this group. Researchers note that about 80 percent of women who undergo biopsy after an abnormal mammogram are diagnosed with benign conditions.
“More precise measures of breast density could help identify which patients need closer follow up after an abnormal mammogram.”
Improved tools could help doctors better identify which patients need closer follow up or additional care. The findings suggest that the location of dense tissue may carry important biological signals about cancer risk. Researchers say this approach could complement existing methods and lead to more personalized care.
While more research is needed, especially in more diverse populations, the study highlights the potential for improved risk assessment through collaboration across disciplines, including contributions from the Vermont based team.