Body mass index, breast density, and the risk of breast cancer development in relation to the menopausal status; results from a population-based screening program in a native African-Arab country

Abstract

Background Risk factors are traits or behaviors that have an influence on the development of breast cancer (BC). Awareness of the prevalent risk factors can guide in developing prevention interventions. Purpose To evaluate the correlation between the breast density, body mass index, and the risk of breast cancer development in relation to the menopausal status in a native African-Arab population. Material and methods The study included 30,443 screened females who were classified into cancer and non-cancer groups and each group was further sub-classified into pre- and postmenopausal groups. The breast density (BD) was reported and subjectively classified according to the 2013 ACR BI-RADS breast density classification. The weight and height were measured, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated and classified according to the WHO BMI classification. Results A statistically significant difference was calculated between the mean BMI in the cancer and non-cancer groups ( p: .027) as well as between the pre- and postmenopausal groups ( p < .001). A positive statistically insignificant correlation was calculated between the breast density and the risk of breast cancer in the premenopausal group (OR: 1.062, p: .919) and a negative highly significant correlation was calculated in the postmenopausal group (OR: 0.234, p < .001). Conclusion BMI and BD are inversely associated with each other. The current studied population presented unique ethnic characteristics, where a decreased BD and an increased BMI were found to be independent risk factors for developing breast cancer.