Digital mammography in clinical practice of a gynecologist: highlighting the key points

Abstract

High density of the mammary gland, determined with the digital mammography method, is an independent risk factor for mammary gland cancer (MGC). Prescription of combined oral contraceptives, menopausal hormone therapy drugs, intrauterine system with levonorgestrel, and ovulation induction may lead to an increase of mammary gland density (MGD). The latest research showed that the insulin-like growth factor is also a risk factor for mammary gland density. In the Republic of Tatarstan, out of 265,217 examined women, a high mammary gland density was diagnosed in 7%, including in patients older than 60 y. o. Notably, in the overwhelming majority of them the density did not decrease during 3 years of monitoring. This testifies to the need of prolonged monitoring of mammary glands in patients, combined with estimation and correction of risk factors for mammary gland density.