Is Mammographic Breast Density an Endophenotype for Breast Cancer?

Mammographic breast density (MBD) is a strong and highly heritable predictor of cancer risk biomarker for the disease. This study systematically assesses MBD as an endophenotype cancer—a quantitative trait that genetically correlated with disease risk. Using data from family-based kConFab Study 1994/1995 cross-sectional Busselton Health Study, participants were divided into three status groups—cases, relatives cases controls. Participant’s mammograms used to measure absolute dense area (DA) percentage (PDA). To address each criterion, linear mixed models heritability analysis conducted. Both measures significantly associated in two independent samples. These also heritable. Meta-analyses both studies showed higher compared (β = 0.48, 95% CI 0.10, 0.86 β 0.41, 0.06, 0.78 DA PDA, respectively) controls 0.16, −0.24, 0.56 −0.21, 0.53 respectively). formally demonstrates, first time, cancer.