Chemo Reduces Breast Density

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy reduces breast density in breast cancer patients, according to a new study. Even so,  it is unknown whether such a reduction may lead to a decrease in cancer risk in the contralateral breast.

Using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging, Chen J.H. and colleagues from the University of California Irvine examined breast density in 54 patients with breast cancer, who were aged 47 on average and who followed the doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) and the AC and taxane regimen.

The researchers found in patients who underwent both AC and taxane follow-up, breast density decreased by 10% after AC and 12.7% after AC and taxane, compared to baseline density.

Patients who received one to two cycles of AC decreased their breast density by 9.4%;  those who received four cycles of AC reduced their breast density by 14.7%.

The younger patients experienced greater reduction in breast density than did the older patients.

Another study reported today on foodconsumer.org suggests that breast density has been linked to breast cancer risk.

Researchers from Mayo clinic Campus in Minnesota  found that a decrease in breast density, (as seen on mammogram images) over a number of years was associated with a 28 percent reduced risk of breast cancer, as compared to those who did not have any change in their breast density.

Celine Vachon, Ph.D. and colleagues presented their findings at the American Association for Cancer Research's (AACR) 101st Annual Meeting in 2010.

Breast density is a known risk factor for breast cancer.  But the new study was meant to improve the current assessment employed in most clinical settings known as BI-RADS, a breast imaging reporting and data system, which is not sophisticated enough for measuring breast density.

Jimmy Downs and editing by Rachel Stockton