Characterization of breast density in Vietnam and its association with demographic, reproductive and lifestyle factors

This study aims to investigate patterns of breast density among women in Vietnam and their association with demographic, reproductive and lifestyle features. Mammographic densities of 1,651 women were collected from the two largest breast cancer screening and treatment centers in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh city. Putative factors associated with breast density were obtained from self-administered questionnaires which considered demographic, reproductive and lifestyle elements and were provided by women who attended mammography examinations. Results show that a large proportion of Vietnamese women (78.4%) had a high breast density. With multivariable logistic regression, significant associations of high breast density were evident with women with less than 55 years old (OR=3.0), having BMI less than 23 (OR=2.2), experiencing pre-menopausal status (OR=2.9), having less than three children (OR=1.7), and being less than 32 years old when having their last child (OR=1.8). Participants who consumed more than two vegetable servings per day also had an increased risk of higher density (OR=2.6). The findings suggest some unique features regarding mammographic density amongst Vietnamese compared with westernized women.