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Breast Parenchymal Patterns (BPPs) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (TSI) women attending BreastScreen New South Wales Northern Rivers

Author(s): Mrs Ruth Pape
Supervisor(s): Professor Phillip Ebrall, Dr. Kelly Spuur, Mrs Caroline Falconi

Field of Research: Medical and Health Sciences
Research Organisation: School of Medical and Applied Sciences

Abstract

Breast tissues vary in every woman owing to the composition of parenchyma types. BPPs refer to variations of breast tissue density as seen on a mammogram. They reflect the exact breast tissues in a woman and can be assessed. Literature review demonstrates that the variation of breast tissue density acts as a strong predictor of an increased risk of developing breast cancer. In addition, dense breast tissues decrease the ability of a radiologist to visualize breast cancers on a mammogram. The sensitivity of mammography is also reduced in detecting breast cancers in dense breast tissues which may lead to increase mortality and morbidity in women. Breast cancer incidence in a group of women can be related to their breast tissue composition. Studies have been undertaken in other ethnic groups to verify this assumption and have produced positive outcomes. However, no studies have been undertaken to date on the BPPs of the Aboriginal and TSI women in Australia. Therefore, this project aims to document the distribution of BPPs using the Tabar classification system in Aboriginal and TSI women attending BreastScreen NSW Northern Rivers. This will then be used to inform the current literature by setting a baseline for future studies on BPPs and breast tissue density in the Australian Indigenous women. This project will allow further research to include a larger sample of the Australian Indigenous population to be undertaken to correlate the findings of this project and examine other potential risk factors that may influence BPPs in this population.

Keywords: Breast patterns, Mammography, Classification, Breast density, Breast Cancer
Timeline: 31/07/2014

Project Contacts

Name: Dr. Kelly Spuur
Contact Research Organisation: School of Medical and Applied Sciences
Phone: +617 04031012802
Email: ruthpape@y7mail.com