Survey on the Consciousness of Japanese Women Regarding Dense Breasts on Mammography ()
Affiliation(s)
1Department of Radiation Science, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan.
2Tsugaru Citizen Clinic, Aomori, Japan.
3Aomori General Health Examination Center, Aomori, Japan.
4Public Noheji Hospital, Kamikitagun-Nohejimachi, Aomori, Japan.
5Aomori City Hospital, Aomori, Japan.
6Medical Court Hachinohe-Nishi Hospital, Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan.
ABSTRACT
Patients with dense breasts
on mammography have a higher risk of developing breast cancer and missing a tumor mass than those with non-dense breasts. Whether examinees who have dense breasts should be notified is currently under consideration in Japan; however, there is concern about the low level of understanding regarding dense breasts. A questionnaire survey on the degree of comprehension regarding dense breasts was conducted among 409 general women of >20 years of age in Hachinohe city in October 2017 and 2018. The results showed that the degree of comprehension was extremely low, as only 35 people (8.5%) responded with, “I know the meaning”; however, 32 of them (91.5%) stated that th
ey would like to be notified in they had dense breasts. In addition, the degree of comprehension regarding dense breasts was significantly greater among those who had a breast cancer screening history (OR = 6.4; 95% CI = 2.0 - 19.8; P = 0.001) and a self-examination history than among those with no such history (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.1 - 5.8; P = 0.03). However, the degree of comprehension did not differ between participants of <40 and ≥40 years of age or between participants with and without a breast cancer sufferer among their close blood relatives. The present findings to reflect a low understanding of dense breasts on mammography screening and suggest that the degree of comprehension is influenced by the presence or absence of a consultation history and a self-examination history.
Share and Cite:
Kataoka, I. , Kawashima, R. , Tsubota, Y. , Fukkoshi, Y. , Kawashima, H. , Fukuta, H. and Kashiwakura, I. (2019) Survey on the Consciousness of Japanese Women Regarding Dense Breasts on Mammography.
Advances in Breast Cancer Research,
8, 135-146. doi:
10.4236/abcr.2019.84010.