Mammographic density--a risk factor for breast cancer

Abstract

The mammographic density belongs to risk factors for breast cancer. The increased density enhances the risk of interval breast cancers and it also increases the number of false negative as well as false positive results of the mammography. The increase in the mammographic density during the hormone replacement therapy is not identical with the enhanced mammographic density, which is a risk factor for the breast cancer. The mammographic density associated with the hormonal treatment recedes within 14 days after its withdrawal. The high mammographic density is not contraindication of the hormonal treatment, but it results in a preference of tibolone and estrogen replacement therapy over the estrogen-gestagen treatment.