Ethnic variation in volumetric breast density

Volumetric breast density was determined using Quantra TM (Hologic) in 1356 women undergoing routine breast screening. Self-reported ethnicity, age, HRT use, weight and height were also available. 1038 women declared themselves to be White (British or Irish), 71 Black, 77 Asian, 91 Jewish, 31 Mixed Race and 48 Other European. Most of the Jewish group were Ashkenazi, a group in which there is a high probability of genetic susceptibility to breast cancer. Women with screen-detected or previous cancers were excluded. The only significant difference in breast density found between ethnic groups was between the Jewish women and women of White (British or Irish) ethnicity, where mean volumetric densities were 19.61% and 16.89% respectively (p=0.012), however this difference is only of borderline significance (p=0.053) once adjustments are made for age, Body Mass Index (BMI) and use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). The Jewish women had on average a lower BMI and were more likely to have used HRT. © 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.