Survey on the Consciousness of Japanese Women Regarding Dense Breasts on Mammography

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 they 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.