Benign Breast Biopsy Research Articles

Correlation between core biopsy and excisional biopsy in breast high-risk lesions

Background The purpose of the current study was to compare the prevalence of invasive or in situ cancer at excisional biopsy in patients with image-guided core needle biopsy (CNB)-proven atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH), or lobular carcinoma-in-situ (LCIS). Factors affecting the upgrade rate to malignancy were also identified. Methods Patients diagnosed with ADH, ALH, or LCIS on image-guided CNB (stereotactic or ultrasound) from 1995 to 2005 were identified through radiologic and surgical databases. Patients who subsequently underwent excisional biopsy of their lesion were included in the study. The imaging, medical records, and pathology of these patients were reviewed. Results Ninety-six patients with either ADH (61/96, 63%), ALH (19/96, 20%), or LCIS (16/96, 17%) on image-guided CNB proceeded to excisional biopsy. Malignancy was detected on excisional biopsy in 31% of patients with ADH, 16% of patients with ALH, and 25% of patients with LCIS. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of age, parity, hormonal status, or previous benign breast biopsies. The presence of a mass on mammography was associated with an increased upgrade rate to malignancy, while biopsies performed using vacuum-assisted devices, larger gauge biopsy needles, and greater number of cores were associated with a lower upgrade rate. Conclusions Our data suggest that excisional biopsy is warranted in all patients with CNB diagnoses of ADH, ALH, or LCIS to exclude the presence of cancer.

Projecting Absolute Invasive Breast Cancer Risk in White Women With a Model That Includes Mammographic Density

To improve the discriminatory power of the Gail model for predicting absolute risk of invasive breast cancer, we previously developed a relative risk model that incorporated mammographic density (DENSITY) from data on white women in the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project (BCDDP). That model also included the variables age at birth of first live child (AGEFLB), number of affected mother or sisters (NUMREL), number of previous benign breast biopsy examinations (NBIOPS), and weight (WEIGHT). In this study, we developed the corresponding model for absolute risk. We combined the relative risk model with data on the distribution of the variables AGEFLB, NUMREL, NBIOPS, and WEIGHT from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey, with data on the conditional distribution of DENSITY given other risk factors in BCDDP, with breast cancer incidence rates from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program of the National Cancer Institute, and with national mortality rates. Confidence intervals (CIs) accounted for variability of estimates of relative risks and of risk factor distributions. We compared the absolute 5-year risk projections from the new model with those from the Gail model on 1744 white women. Attributable risks of breast cancer associated with DENSITY, AGEFLB, NUMREL, NBIOPS, and WEIGHT were 0.779 (95% CI = 0.733 to 0.819) and 0.747 (95% CI = 0.702 to 0.788) for women younger than 50 years and 50 years or older, respectively. The model predicted higher risks than the Gail model for women with a high percentage of dense breast area. However, the average risk projections from the new model in various age groups were similar to those from the Gail model, suggesting that the new model is well calibrated. This new model for absolute invasive breast cancer risk in white women promises modest improvements in discriminatory power compared with the Gail model but needs to be validated with independent data.

Follow-Up Recommendations for Benign Breast Biopsies

Histologically proven benign breast disease increases a woman's relative risk for subsequent cancer development. Yet follow-up guidelines for mammogram and clinical breast examination after a benign breast biopsy are lacking. Our objective was to determine if increased surveillance is indicated following a benign breast biopsy. Following institutional review board approval, a retrospective database review was conducted of prospectively gathered patients who had a benign breast biopsy (core or excisional) for an abnormality detected on mammogram, ultrasound, or clinical breast examination. Follow-up, for all subjects, was a clinical breast examination and mammogram or ultrasound at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after benign breast biopsy by a breast surgeon. End points were the need for additional biopsies or cancer detection. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-squared analysis. From January 2000 to July 2003, 156 patients age 18-86 years had a benign breast biopsy. During the 2 year follow-up, 20 patients (13%) required a subsequent biopsy. No significant difference was observed in mean age, race, menarche, menopause, parity, age at first live birth, use of oral contraceptives, history of prior biopsy, or the pathology of the initial lesion between those who needed a subsequent biopsy and those who did not. Seven excisional biopsies were performed (one at 6 months, four at 1 year, and two at 2 years follow-up) for growth of the benign breast biopsy lesion, and pathology remained concordant with the original diagnosis. Thirteen biopsies were done for new findings on mammogram or ultrasound. Three of these (1.9%) yielded a cancer diagnosis (one at 6 months, one at 1 year, and one at 2 years follow-up). No new lesions were identified on follow-up by clinical breast examination alone. Increased surveillance following a benign breast biopsy is necessary because of the increased need for subsequent biopsy or risk of cancer development. This should include imaging (mammography or ultrasound) and a clinical breast examination 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after a benign breast biopsy.

The influence of family history on breast cancer risk in women with biopsy‐confirmed benign breast disease

An association between histologic category of benign breast disease (BBD) and breast cancer risk has been well documented. However, the influence of a positive family history (FH) on breast cancer risk among women with biopsy-confirmed BBD is less certain. The authors conducted a nested case-control study of BBD and breast cancer risk among 2005 women who were enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study. Cases were women with breast cancer who had a previous benign breast biopsy (n = 395 women). Controls were women who also had previous biopsy-confirmed BBD but were free from breast cancer at the time the corresponding case was diagnosed (n = 1610 women). BBD slides were reviewed and categorized as either nonproliferative lesions, proliferative lesions without atypia, or atypical hyperplasia (AH). Compared with women who had nonproliferative lesions and no FH, women who had proliferative lesions without atypia and a positive FH had a higher breast cancer risk (odds ratio [OR], 2.45; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.61-3.70) than women with no FH (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.12-2.06; P = .07). Among women who had AH, the OR for the development of breast cancer was 4.38 (95% CI, 2.93-6.55) for those with no FH and 5.37 (95% CI, 3.01-9.58) for those with a positive FH (P = .57). There was no significant interaction between the type of BBD and FH (P = .74). A positive FH of breast cancer slightly increased the breast cancer risk among women who had proliferative lesions without atypia. The increase in risk of breast cancer associated with FH was not significant among women who had AH.

Use of statins and breast carcinoma: A case-control study

592 Background: Statin drugs, which enzymatically inhibit HMG CoA reductase, are used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. In vitro, statins have been shown to induce apoptosis and inhibit growth in breast cancer cell lines. Although controversial, recent clinical data has indicated that statins may have a chemopreventive effect against breast cancer. Our objective was to determine whether the long-term intake of statins (at least four years) demonstrates a protective effect against breast cancer as a primary endpoint. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, case-control study of female patients from a community-based hospital and medical center located in southeastern Michigan. Cases included patients diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma between 1995–2005, as identified through the tumor registry. Controls were family practice patients (age > 35 years) randomly selected from a database generated for this same time-period. Patients completed a mailed questionnaire with information pertaining to their use of statins and other medications, as well as other breast cancer risk factors. Subjects (N = 521) and controls (N = 521) were case matched by age, race, and body mass index (BMI). Results: The mean age of patients was 62.9 (range 35–101 yrs.) with an average BMI of 27.5. Reported usage of statins for four or more years prior to diagnosis was 5.5% in breast cancer subjects and 6.9% in case-matched controls. Compared to nonusers, women who had been on statin therapy for four or more years prior to diagnosis were not found to have a decreased risk of breast cancer (odds ratio 0.78: 95% CI 0.47 - 1.31). Similarly, there was no difference in risk for nonusers versus those taking statins for <1 yr., 1–4 yrs., or ≥ 4 yrs. However, nulliparity, positive family history, report of any benign breast biopsy, and ≥ 5-year use of oral contraceptives (before age 30) were significantly associated with the occurrence of breast cancer (p < 0.002, Chi-square test). Conclusion: Although statins have been shown to inhibit growth in breast cancer cell lines in vitro, its effect in vivo has remained inconclusive. Our study did not demonstrate a significant protective effect against breast carcinoma in women who had ever taken statins, or those who had taken the drug for a minimum of four years. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Interdependence of radial scar and proliferative disease with respect to invasive breast carcinoma risk in patients with benign breast biopsies

Radial scars (RS) are benign breast lesions that have been implicated as independent risk factors for invasive breast carcinoma (IBC). A retrospective cohort study of 9556 women who underwent biopsy between 1950-1986 and enrolled in the Nashville Breast Cohort was performed to investigate the association between RS in a benign breast biopsy and the risk of IBC. The risk associated with RS and coexistent proliferative disease (PD) was assessed adjusting for age at biopsy using a Cox hazards regression analysis with time-dependent covariates. RS were identified in 880 women (9.2%). The average follow-up time was 20.4 years. Sixty-two women (7.0%) with RS developed IBC compared with 5.5% of controls. The relative risk of IBC associated with RS was 1.82 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.2-2.7) at 10 years. Restricting the analysis to women age > 49 years increased the risk to 2.14 (95% CI, 0.6-2.8). These risks decreased with increasing years of follow-up. Approximately 92% of women with RS also had PD, but RS were present in only 1.3% of biopsies without PD. Analyses stratifying relative risk with regard to PD found RS to minimally elevate the relative risk of subsequent IBC. RS in the absence of PD is uncommon. Although the presence of RS in a benign breast biopsy mildly elevates the risk of IBC risk, the current analysis indicated that this risk can be largely attributed to the category of coexistent PD. In women with both RS and atypical hyperplasia, recommendations for interventions beyond biopsy should be based on the extent of atypical hyperplasia.

234 POSTER Cytoplasmic p27 kip-1 expression is an indicator of good prognosis in colorectal cancer patients

The purpose of the current study was to compare the prevalence of invasive or in situ cancer at excisional biopsy in patients with image-guided core needle biopsy (CNB)-proven atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH), or lobular carcinoma-in-situ (LCIS). Factors affecting the upgrade rate to malignancy were also identified.Patients diagnosed with ADH, ALH, or LCIS on image-guided CNB (stereotactic or ultrasound) from 1995 to 2005 were identified through radiologic and surgical databases. Patients who subsequently underwent excisional biopsy of their lesion were included in the study. The imaging, medical records, and pathology of these patients were reviewed.Ninety-six patients with either ADH (61/96, 63%), ALH (19/96, 20%), or LCIS (16/96, 17%) on image-guided CNB proceeded to excisional biopsy. Malignancy was detected on excisional biopsy in 31% of patients with ADH, 16% of patients with ALH, and 25% of patients with LCIS. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of age, parity, hormonal status, or previous benign breast biopsies. The presence of a mass on mammography was associated with an increased upgrade rate to malignancy, while biopsies performed using vacuum-assisted devices, larger gauge biopsy needles, and greater number of cores were associated with a lower upgrade rate.Our data suggest that excisional biopsy is warranted in all patients with CNB diagnoses of ADH, ALH, or LCIS to exclude the presence of cancer.

Benign breast disease, recent alcohol consumption, and risk of breast cancer: a nested case–control study

IntroductionAlcohol consumption is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer. Some studies have suggested that the risk of breast cancer associated with alcohol consumption is greater for women with a history of benign breast disease (BBD). We hypothesized that among women with biopsy-confirmed BBD, recent alcohol consumption would increase the risk of breast cancer in women with proliferative breast disease to a greater extent than in women with nonproliferative breast disease.MethodsWe conducted a nested case–control study in the Nurses' Health Study I and II. The cases (n = 282) were women diagnosed with incident breast cancer, with a prior biopsy-confirmed breast disease. The controls (n = 1,223) were participants with a previous BBD biopsy, but without a diagnosis of breast cancer. Pathologists reviewed benign breast biopsy slides in a blinded fashion and classified the BBD as nonproliferative, proliferative without atypia, or atypical hyperplasia, according to standard criteria.ResultsWomen with nonproliferative breast disease consuming ≥ 15 g of alcohol per day had a nonsignificant 67% increased risk of breast cancer (odds ratio = 1.67; 95% confidence interval 0.65 to 4.34) compared with nondrinkers. There was no evidence that recent alcohol consumption increased the risk of breast cancer to a greater extent in women with proliferative BBD than among women with nonproliferative BBD (P for interactio n = 0.20).ConclusionContrary to our a priori hypothesis, there was no evidence that recent alcohol consumption increased the risk of breast cancer to a greater extent among women with proliferative BBD than among women with nonproliferative BBD.

Immunohistochemical Expression of Estrogen Receptor in Enlarged Lobular Units With Columnar Alteration in Benign Breast Biopsies

The prognostic and therapeutic implications of estrogen receptor (ER) status in breast cancer are well known. Whether ER status plays a role in benign breast lesions and the progression to malignancy has not been proven. Enlarged lobular units with columnar alteration (ELUCA), also known as unfolded lobular units, have been associated with mild elevations in subsequent breast cancer risk. We examined the association of ERalpha expression in ELUCA with invasive breast cancer risk. A nested case-control study was performed of women with ELUCA who had undergone benign breast surgery. Eighty-two women who developed invasive breast cancer on follow-up were matched by age and year of biopsy with 166 women who did not develop invasive breast cancer. Entry biopsies were stained for ERalpha (clone 6F11) without knowledge of subsequent cancer outcome. ELUCA lesions were scored as positive if greater than 10% of epithelial nuclei stained with ERalpha and at least one ELUCA contained >50% of cells staining for ERalpha. Relative risks of breast cancer were estimated by odds ratios derived from conditional logistic regression analyses. Thirty-nine percent of cases and 56% of controls had positive ERalpha staining in ELUCA. The relative risk of invasive breast cancer in women with ERalpha-negative ELUCA was 1.85 times that of women with ERalpha-positive lesions (95% confidence interval, 1.0-3.4, P=0.04). The presence of ERalpha staining in women with ELUCA is associated with a lower risk of developing subsequent invasive carcinoma. These findings have implications for risk assessment in benign breast biopsies and are of particular interest given the controversy currently surrounding hormone replacement therapy.

Risk for Breast Cancer After Benign Breast Biopsy

Benign breast disease is a risk factor for breast cancer, and some benign histologic entities confer more risk than others. In this study, Mayo Clinic researchers identified 9087 women with benign findings on breast biopsy, and compared …

Normal Breast Lobular Architecture in Breast Biopsy Samples From Breast Cancer Cases and Benign Disease Controls

Rodent studies suggest a relationship between lobular maturation and breast cancer risk. Human data are sparse, and were developed using whole mounts of mastectomy or mammoplasty samples, without consideration of menstrual phase in premenopausal women. We studied normal breast lobules in relation to cancer risk in 284 women, using surgical biopsy material (mean two sections and 43.2 lobular structures per subject): 167 were premenopausal; 89 with breast cancer (cases) and 78 undergoing benign breast biopsy (controls). Of 117 postmenopausal women, 67 were cases and 50 were controls. Normal lobular type was classified based on size, and was designated predominant if it constituted 60% or more of the total lobules classified. The control group showed 66% type I, 34% type II and 1% type III lobules while cases showed 69% type I, 31% type II and 7% type III structures. Predominant lobule type showed no association with cancer (p = 0.9). Postmenopausal women had a substantially higher proportion of type I lobules compared to premenopausal women, irrespective of the parity or cancer status (p < 0.001). Lobule type was not associated with menstrual phase classified by dates; however, when menstrual phase was classified using breast morphological characteristics, type I lobules were more abundant in follicular phase and type II in the luteal phase (p < 0.001). In conclusion, we did not observe a relationship between lobular architecture and breast cancer susceptibility when using smaller breast samples usually available in epidemiological studies, but these data highlight the need for menstrual phase stratification in future investigations.

Impact of benign breast biopsy upon breast self-examination

Current American Cancer Society guidelines recommend monthly performance of breast self-examination (BSE) for women over 20 years of age. While the experience of a benign breast biopsy can result in elevated levels of distress, the impact of benign biopsy upon breast cancer (BC) screening behavior is not well known. The present study examined frequency of BSE practice in 102 women after benign breast biopsy (biopsy group). Telephone interviews were completed a mean of 21 days (initial interview) and 8 months after biopsy (follow-up interview). A healthy comparison (HC) group of women ( n = 76) without a history of breast biopsy completed an initial interview only. Information regarding distress, dispositional characteristics, BC screening-related attitudes and behaviors, and subjective and objective risk for BC was collected. Results indicated that the biopsy and HC groups did not differ in typical (i.e., prebiopsy) practice of BSE. However, practice of BSE changed after biopsy with a general trend toward a decrease in BSE frequency. Only 8% of women in the biopsy group reported appropriate (once per month) practice of BSE at the 8-month Follow-up while 28% reported appropriate practice at the initial interview. Decreases in BSE performance after biopsy were characteristic of younger women, women who lacked confidence in the ability to perform BSE correctly, and women whose biopsy was preceded by discovery of a breast lump or abnormality during BSE. Results suggest the potential value of a psychoeducational intervention after biopsy to enhance appropriate performance of BSE.

Risk factors for breast cancer in a population with high incidence rates.

BackgroundThis report examines generally recognized breast cancer risk factors and years of residence in Marin County, California, an area with high breast cancer incidence and mortality rates.MethodsEligible women who were residents of Marin County diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997–99 and women without breast cancer obtained through random digit dialing, frequency-matched by cases' age at diagnosis and ethnicity, participated in either full in-person or abbreviated telephone interviews.ResultsIn multivariate analyses, 285 cases were statistically significantly more likely than 286 controls to report being premenopausal, never to have used birth control pills, a lower highest lifetime body mass index, four or more mammograms in 1990–94, beginning drinking after the age of 21, on average drinking two or more drinks per day, the highest quartile of pack-years of cigarette smoking and having been raised in an organized religion. Cases and controls did not significantly differ with regard to having a first-degree relative with breast cancer, a history of benign breast biopsy, previous radiation treatment, age at menarche, parity, use of hormone replacement therapy, age of first living in Marin County, or total years lived in Marin County. Results for several factors differed for women aged under 50 years or 50 years and over.ConclusionsDespite similar distributions of several known breast cancer risk factors, case-control differences in alcohol consumption suggest that risk in this high-risk population might be modifiable. Intensive study of this or other areas of similarly high incidence might reveal other important risk factors proximate to diagnosis.

Factors influencing quality of life in breast cancer survivors.

Longitudinal data from 195 breast cancer survivors were used to identify factors affecting the level and rate of change in quality of life after completion of treatment. Women were interviewed up to four times at approximately yearly intervals using Kaplan and Bush's Quality of Well Being instrument (QWB). Random coefficient regression analysis was used to model QWB as a function of time since diagnosis and personal characteristics. QWB scores decreased over time and the rate of decline increased with age (p = 0.032). This was similar to declines in women with benign breast biopsies, but overall QWB levels were lower in women with breast cancer. Having a spouse tended to slow the rate of decline in breast cancer survivors (p = 0.004). The presence of comorbidity was associated with significantly lower QWB levels (p = 0.037) but did not affect the rate of change over time. Education, family history of breast cancer, cancer stage and treatment modalities were not significantly related to QWB levels or rates of change. Breast cancer survivors experience a reduction in quality of life that persists for years after treatment and is similar in magnitude to that associated with other health problems.

Psychological impact of benign breast biopsy: A longitudinal, comparative study.

The impact of benign breast biopsy (BBB) on distress and perceptions of risk for breast cancer (BC) was examined. Interviews were conducted with 100 women shortly after notification of biopsy results and 4 and 8 months post-BBB. Compared with matched healthy comparison (HC) women without BBB, the BBB group evidenced greater BC-specific distress at baseline. BC-specific distress declined after BBB, remaining elevated relative to the HC group at the 8-month follow-up. Dispositional (optimism, informational coping style), demographic (education), clinical (family history of BC), and cognitive (BC risk perception) variables were associated with baseline levels of BC-specific distress or persistence of distress. Results support the monitoring process model (S. M. Miller, 1995) and the cognitive social health information processing model (S. M. Miller, Y. Shoda, & K. Hurley, 1996).

"Diabetic mastopathy," or sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis, is strongly associated with type 1 diabetes.

To demonstrate the strong association of diabetic mastopathy or sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis with type 1 diabetes mellitus by studying appropriate control groups and to describe risk factors and natural history of the disorder. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of four groups of patients conducted at a setting tertiary care medical center. We examined benign breast biopsies (investigator masked to identity) from age-matched patients with types 1 and 2 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, or none of the above disorders for sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis. Several risk factors proposed for the disorder (age at diagnosis of benign breast disease, duration of diabetes, age at onset of diabetes, prevalence of retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy and cheiroarthropathy, glycemic control, parity, oral contraceptive use, menopausal status, or number of breast biopsies) were evaluated, and patients were contacted to describe the natural history of the disorder. Sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis was identified in 69.7% of the subjects with type 1 diabetes and 1.8% of those with autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosed with benign breast disease at surgery. It did not occur in patients with type 2 diabetes with or without insulin treatment or in control subjects. Only retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy were associated with sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis. Breast carcinoma or lymphoma did not occur subsequently in any type 1 diabetes patient with or without sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis. Sclerosing lymphocytic lobulitis is strongly associated with type 1 diabetes. Retinopathy and neuropathy are associated with the disorder. The risk of malignancy is not increased.

Adherence to recommendations for clinical follow-up after benign breast biopsy.

Women who undergo a benign breast biopsy are at elevated risk for the subsequent development of breast cancer (BC). Therefore, appropriate clinical follow-up of a benign breast biopsy is important. The present study examines the extent and correlates of nonadherence with follow-up recommendations after a benign breast biopsy. Women (n = 114) who had undergone a benign breast biopsy completed an initial telephone interview within 50 days of their biopsy (mean = 21 days). Additional telephone interviews were completed at 4 and 8 months post-biopsy. Measures of BC risk perception, general and BC-specific distress, BC-related attitudes and beliefs, social support, optimism, and informational coping style were completed. Specific recommendations for clinical follow-up and evidence of actual follow-up were obtained from medical records. Of 103 women given a specific recommendation for clinical follow-up, 34% were classified as nonadherent with follow-up recommendations. Logistic regression analyses indicated that nonadherent women were characterized by younger age, recommendations for follow-up by clinical breast examination alone, greater confidence in their ability to perform breast self-examination properly, higher perceived personal risk for BC, and greater BC-specific distress. Despite the importance of appropriate clinical follow-up of a benign breast biopsy, about one-third of women did not adhere to recommended follow-up. Risk factors for nonadherence suggest potential avenues for interventions to enhance participation in appropriate clinical follow-up.

Psychosocial adjustment in children of mothers with breast cancer

Thirty-five children of 28 mothers diagnosed with breast cancer during the previous year were compared to 34 children of 24 mothers with recent benign breast biopsies. Mothers and children, ages 8-16, completed questionnaires about mood, behavior problems and social functioning to assess whether children of mothers with breast cancer were at increased risk for adjustment problems. Significant differences were not found between children in the breast cancer group and the comparison group on any of the measures, even though mothers with breast cancer reported more psychological distress than mothers with benign biopsies. In addition, children in both groups were functioning better than normative samples on some adjustment measures. Variables measuring the mother's illness and treatment were not significantly related to children's adjustment in the breast cancer group. Findings suggested that some adolescents whose mothers had breast cancer did better in social and academic activities when their mothers were more distressed, while adolescents whose mothers had benign biopsies did less well when their mothers were distressed. The study's small sample size limits conclusions that can be drawn; however, clinical and research implications are discussed, given other reports that some children of parents with cancer may experience adjustment problems.

Mammography utilization after a benign breast biopsy among Hispanic and non-Hispanic women.

In spite of the effectiveness of mammography screening for early detection of breast carcinoma, the use of screening mammography varies widely across racial and ethnic groups. Recently, concerns have been raised about the potential adverse effect a benign breast biopsy may have on subsequent mammography utilization, including subsequent use among minority women. Computerized health care claims data for 1991 through 1997 from a managed care organization were used to compare mammography use among Hispanic and non-Hispanic women who had had a mammogram followed by an incisional or excisional benign breast biopsy to women who had had a mammogram and no biopsy. Through survival analysis methods, the time-to-next mammogram was compared among these three groups. The sample included 693 (3.2%) and 289 (1.3%) women who had had a mammogram followed by an incisional biopsy or an excisional biopsy, respectively, and 20,540 (95.4%) women who had had a mammogram and no biopsy. Both Hispanic and non-Hispanic women with a biopsy returned sooner for subsequent mammograms than women without a biopsy (P < 0.0001). Hispanic women without a biopsy returned later than non-Hispanic women without a biopsy (P < 0.0001). However, Hispanic women with an excisional biopsy returned sooner than non-Hispanic women (P < 0.05). Within a managed care organization, both Hispanic and non-Hispanic women who had had a mammogram followed by a benign breast biopsy returned sooner for a subsequent mammogram than women who had had a mammogram and no biopsy. However, ethnic differences in time-to-next mammogram were observed for women without a biopsy and those with an excisional biopsy. Hispanic women without a biopsy returned later for a subsequent mammogram than non-Hispanic women in similar groups, but those with an excisional biopsy returned sooner.

The effectiveness of the Gail model in estimating risk for development of breast cancer in women under 40 years of age.

Epidemiologic studies have provided information on risk factors for breast cancer. Gail and associates identified five risk factors using the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project (BCDDP) population and developed a model to calculate a composite relative risk (RR). This model is commonly used to counsel women regarding their risk for breast cancer and was used by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast Project (NSABP) for eligibility for the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial. Because the BCDDP population was composed almost entirely of women 40 years of age or older, our purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Gail model in estimating the risk of breast cancer for women under 40 in the clinical setting. The Gail risk factors were assessed for 124 patients under the age of 40 treated for either ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) or invasive breast cancer at the Lahey Hitchcock Medical Center between 1983 and 1995. The RR was calculated using the Gail model. For comparison, two cohorts of women under the age of 40 were used: 107 randomly selected patients who underwent a breast biopsy because of a benign condition and 129 nurses from our institution who responded to a questionnaire that included reproductive and family history information as used in the Gail model. The RR calculated was the RR that existed at the time of the surgical consultation for a suspicious breast lesion. The Tarone-Ware method was used to analyze statistical significance of differences between distribution. Contingency tables were analyzed using Miettinen's modification of Fisher's exact test. No differences were found between the median RR for all groups. Only 2 of the 124 patients with breast cancer had a RR of 5 or more (the RR required to enter the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial). The distribution of age at menarche (AGEMEN) was the same for each group. No difference was found for the distribution of age at first live birth (AGEFLB) between those with breast cancer and those with a benign biopsy or the control group. The number of breast biopsies (NBIOPS) was higher in patients with a benign breast biopsy. No difference was found in the distribution of number of first-degree relatives with breast cancer (NUMREL). Overall the Gail model failed to differentiate those women about to have cancer diagnosed from two control populations. The Gail model is not useful in identifying immediate risk of breast cancer in women under 40 and should not be used for that purpose.