Mammographic Density Distribution in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK): Relationships with Demographic and Reproductive Factors

Abstract

Objective: Mammographic density is an important risk factor for breast cancer and determines to a large extent<br />mammographic screening efficacy. This study aims to provide baseline data for mammographic density profiling of<br />women living in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) and to identify risk factors associated with high mammographic density.<br />Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to examine a series of 366 mammography cases. The Breast Imaging<br />Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS, 5th edition) was used to evaluate mammographic density. Pearson's<br />chi-squared, Mann-Whitney U test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results:<br />Most participants (67%) fell into BI-RADS b and c mammographic density categories. Of the total sample, women<br />who were aged ≤ 45 years (p=0.004, OR=1.9), weighed ≤ 71kg (p=<0.0001, OR=4.8), had a body mass index of ≤ 27<br />kg/m2 (p=<0.0001, OR=5.1) and were of non-Arab descent (p=0.007, OR=1.8) were significantly more likely to have<br />denser breast tissue. Adjusted ethnicity regression analysis showed that Emirati women were significantly less likely to<br />have dense breast tissue compared with Western women (p=0.04, OR=0.4). Among the sample of survey participants,<br />increased odds of having mammographic density were among women who were full-time workers (p=0.02, OR=2.8),<br />of Christian faith (p=0.007, OR=4.4), nulliparous (p=0.003, OR=10.8), had three or fewer children (p=0.03, OR=3.8),<br />and had used oral contraceptives for three years or more (p=0.01, OR=6.1). Conclusion: This study indicated that<br />because Emirati women have a low mammographic density profile, screening mammography can be considered as an<br />effective early detection imaging modality.