Article Sidebar
Article Details
Issue
Section
Articles
Copyright belongs to the journal.
Main Article Content
Breast Density as a Risk Factor for Breast Cancer amongst a Cohort of Women in Uganda
Abstract
Background: The incidence of breast cancer in Uganda has nearly tripled in three decades, the reasons not wholly understood. Country specific evidence is needed to better understand associated risk factors. Breast density is a strong predictor of breast cancer risk in Caucasian populations. The aim of this study was to establish whether increased breast density is a contributory risk factor for breast cancer amongst black African women.
Methods: A case control study carried out at the National Referral and teaching Hospital, Mulago in Kampala Uganda over a 6 months period. All patients who presented for breast cancer screening and underwent a mammography breast examination during the study period had their breast densities measured using the BI-RADS classification were eligible. Those diagnosed with breast cancer during the period formed the cases and those who had a normal breast examination formed the controls. Mulago receives patients from all over the country but more so from the central part, owing to its location (proximity). Prevalence of high breast density between the two groups was compared using cross tabulations and an association between high breast density and breast cancer was defined. Prior ethical approval was obtained.
Results: The prevalence of high breast density (Grade III & IV) among this cohort of East African women was 39% (52/135) overall; with a distribution of 51% (26/46) among the cases and 29% (26/89) among the controls There was a positive association between HBD and breast cancer with odds ratio of 3.15.
Conclusion: High breast density seems to be associated with breast cancer among this group of East African black women. Although prevalence of high breast density was comparable to some of the studies done in Caucasian populations, there was an unexpected inverse relationship between HBD, high parity and early age of first pregnancy.
Methods: A case control study carried out at the National Referral and teaching Hospital, Mulago in Kampala Uganda over a 6 months period. All patients who presented for breast cancer screening and underwent a mammography breast examination during the study period had their breast densities measured using the BI-RADS classification were eligible. Those diagnosed with breast cancer during the period formed the cases and those who had a normal breast examination formed the controls. Mulago receives patients from all over the country but more so from the central part, owing to its location (proximity). Prevalence of high breast density between the two groups was compared using cross tabulations and an association between high breast density and breast cancer was defined. Prior ethical approval was obtained.
Results: The prevalence of high breast density (Grade III & IV) among this cohort of East African women was 39% (52/135) overall; with a distribution of 51% (26/46) among the cases and 29% (26/89) among the controls There was a positive association between HBD and breast cancer with odds ratio of 3.15.
Conclusion: High breast density seems to be associated with breast cancer among this group of East African black women. Although prevalence of high breast density was comparable to some of the studies done in Caucasian populations, there was an unexpected inverse relationship between HBD, high parity and early age of first pregnancy.
