Prediction of breast cancer risk by automated volumetric breast density measurement

Purpose Dense breast (DB) is recognized as a breast cancer (BC) risk factor. Although DB is common in Japanese women, the incidence of BC is lower than in Caucasians. We evaluated whether DB is a risk factor or whether there are other risk factors for BC in Japanese women. Materials and methods We retrospectively analyzed 635 BC patients and 999 controls who received a mammography at our hospital between February 2019 and March 2021. Volumetric breast density percentage (VBD%), breast volume (BV), and fibroglandular volume (FGV) were measured using Volpara ™ , an automated, three-dimensional image analysis program. A VBD% of 7.5% or higher was classified as DB. The association between the VBD%, BV, and FGV, and BC risk were assessed using logistic regression. Results Of the BC group and the control group, 77% and 79% had DB. The stratified FGV was positively associated with BC risk (odds ratio: 2.84; 95% confidence interval 1.58–5.12; P