Dense Breasts Can Nearly Double the Risk .....Recurrence

cp418

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120321094129.htm

Dense Breasts Can Nearly Double the Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence

lago

"However, density does not increase the risk of distant metastasis and has no effect on survival."

and

"We also see that although mammographic density is one of the strongest risk factors for breast cancer it doesn't seem to influence tumour development in any specific way; for instance, it isn't more associated with oestrogen receptor positive tumours than oestrogen receptor negative tumours, but seems to act as a general stimulator of tumour development,"

thenewme

I wonder why breast density in women 50-74 years old would be more significant than in younger women?  In general BC risk increases with age, while breast density decreases with age.

Once again, the studies seem to lead to more questions than answers.

lago

thenewme it does make sense. Everyone's risk goes up at they age dense or no dense. The problem with dense tissue is that although it doesn't cause tumors, tumors are more likely to "flourish" in that environment If the environment isn't as conducive to growing I bet lots of pre-cancer doesn't have a chance to mature

Heidihill

Dense tissue probably reflects underlying cell proliferation due to hormones or growth factors. My breast is significantly less dense after four years on AIs.

cp418

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2012/03/22/dense-breasts-may-be-linked-to-cancer-recurrence