Introduction: Breast has always been a symbol of womanhood. As a result, both disease and surgery of the breast evoke a fear of mutilation and loss of feminity. Breast cancer is the most side specific cancer in the women and accounts 33% of female cancer ¹, and is responsible for 20% of the cancer related deaths in women². Investigators have identified mammographic breast density as a novel independent risk factor (four-to-six fold increased risk) for breast cancer³. The purpose of this study was to comparatively analyse Breast Density between Normal and Carcinoma Breast cases above 40 years of age in Indian Setup as characteristics of women’s breast density are poorly understood in India.

Materials and Method: The present study comprised of 60 patients with various breast complaints. All patients were subjected for mammography/BIRADS staging and classified for breast density as Type A,B,C or D. The patients with BIRADS 4-6were further subjected for trucut biopsy. The patients were thus divided into Group A (Carcinoma) and Group B (Benign) patients. Comparative analysis of Breast Density between Normal and Carcinoma Breast cases was done.

Results: In the present study, among all the age groups(ranging between 40 to 80 years) the breast density was found to be Type B in majority of the patients in both the groups(A and B). On comparing the proportion of Group A and Group B with density B it was found to be statistically non significant ( P value 0.78)

Conclusion: Although breast density is one of the most important risk factors of breast cancer ⁴, the effect of breast density itself in this study was not significant and the point estimate was much lower than previous meta-analysis which showed about four-six fold increment of breast cancer risk ⁵.The present study highlights the need for Individualized breast cancer screening guidelines that are appropriate for patient age, breast density, and overall risk for breast cancer. Further studies of women of various ages and risk categories are sorely needed to clarify this important public health issue.

Keywords: Breast cancer; mammographic breast density; cancer risk.

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Dr Amit Mainra

MS (Surgery), IGMC, Shimla, Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla, (H.P.)