Breast cancer treatment may soon
take into account a woman's breast density, as well as the age of their mother
when she was born.
Women born to mothers aged 39 and over are more likely to have a higher
mammographic density and subsequently have an increased chance of developing
the disease, according to a new study published in the Breast Cancer Research
and Treatment journal.
The study conducted at the Carlos III Health Institute analysed the medical
records of more than 3,500 women between the ages of 45 and 68 and made the
link between maternal age and cancer risk.
Women who were tall and thin before puberty were also found to have a higher
breast density - a characteristic traditionally associated with tumour risk.
According to research from the American Association for Cancer Research, women
with a mammographic density of 75 per cent or more are five times more likely
to develop the disease that those with a low density.
Authorities around the world recently held World Cancer Day to raise awareness
about controllable risk factors.
© Adfero Ltd
Cancer treatment news : 9 February 2012
