Mammographic microcalcifications and risk of breast cancer
Open Access
- 14 June 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in British Journal of Cancer
- Vol. 125 (5), 759-765
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-021-01459-x
Abstract
Background Mammographic microcalcifications are considered early signs of breast cancer (BC). We examined the association between microcalcification clusters and the risk of overall and subtype-specific BC. Furthermore, we studied how mammographic density (MD) influences the association between microcalcification clusters and BC risk. Methods We used a prospective cohort (n = 53,273) of Swedish women with comprehensive information on BC risk factors and mammograms. The total number of microcalcification clusters and MD were measured using a computer-aided detection system and the STRATUS method, respectively. Cox regressions and logistic regressions were used to analyse the data. Results Overall, 676 women were diagnosed with BC. Women with ≥3 microcalcification clusters had a hazard ratio [HR] of 2.17 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.57–3.01) compared to women with no clusters. The estimated risk was more pronounced in premenopausal women (HR = 2.93; 95% CI = 1.67–5.16). For postmenopausal women, microcalcification clusters and MD had a similar influence on BC risk. No interaction was observed between microcalcification clusters and MD. Microcalcification clusters were significantly associated with in situ breast cancer (odds ratio: 2.03; 95% CI = 1.13–3.63). Conclusions Microcalcification clusters are an independent risk factor for BC, with a higher estimated risk in premenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, microcalcification clusters have a similar association with BC as baseline MD.Keywords
This publication has 36 references indexed in Scilit:
- Percent Mammographic Density and Dense Area as Risk Factors for Breast CancerGeburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde, 2012
- Breast cancer risk prediction and individualised screening based on common genetic variation and breast density measurementBreast Cancer Research, 2012
- Microcalcifications in breast cancer: novel insights into the molecular mechanism and functional consequence of mammary mineralisationBritish Journal of Cancer, 2012
- Mammographic density and breast cancer risk: current understanding and future prospectsBreast Cancer Research, 2011
- Mammographic morphology and distribution of calcifications in ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosed in organized screeningActa Radiologica, 2011
- Characterizing the Clustered Microcalcifications on Mammograms to Predict the Pathological Classification and Grading: A Mathematical Modeling ApproachJournal of Digital Imaging, 2011
- Breast Tissue Composition and Susceptibility to Breast CancerJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2010
- The BOADICEA model of genetic susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancers: updates and extensionsBritish Journal of Cancer, 2008
- Projecting Individualized Probabilities of Developing Breast Cancer for White Females Who Are Being Examined AnnuallyJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 1989