Dense breasts increase recurrence of cancer

Women with dense breast tissue are at greater risk of cancer recurrence.  This was the finding  of the Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, Canada.

The study was based on the medical records of 335 women who had undergone surgery to remove invasive tumors from the breasts.  The women were monitored for cancer recurrence with special attention paid to breast density as seen on mammography.

The level of density was rated as low (less than 25% dense tissue present), intermediate (25% to 50%), and high (more than 50%).

Over a decade, women with denser breasts had a 21 percent chance of their cancer returning compared with 5% in women with less dense breasts.

Women with dense breast tissue benefit significantly from radiation therapy following surgery, the researchers concluded.  They found that those with denser breast tissue who did not receive the treatment had a 40% chance of recurrence.

Dr. Steven Narod of the Women’s College Hospital said:  ”The composition of the breast tissue surrounding the breast cancer is important in predicting whether or not a breast cancer will return after surgery.  Breast density has been found to be modifiable to some extent by physical activity and hormone therapy.”

[via bbc.co.uk Image source: SPL]