Comparative analysis of three quantitative breast density measurements in mammography

Abstract Breast density (BD) is a significant risk factor for breast cancer [1, 2]; therefore, accurate measurement of BD is essential for optimizing breast cancer screening programs and selecting the most appropriate exams for each type of breast. A key challenge in this domain is the diverse methodologies for assessing BD. In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare three quantitative BD metrics. Questionnaires were distributed to collect information on factors influencing BD variability among patients undergoing screening mammography. Images were collected and processed using software to calculate three BD metrics: volumetric BD (VBD), breast area density (BAD), and peak volumetric glandular tissue (PVGT). Using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, correlation analyses were conducted to assess relationships among the three metrics. Of the 21 factors analyzed, 38% were found to similarly impact the variation in all three BD metrics. Despite significantly different data distributions, Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) indicated positive and high/moderate correlations among metrics. The strongest correlation was observed between VBD and BAD (r = 0.801; p < 0.05), followed by DBA and PVGT (r = 0.683; p < 0.05), and VBD and PVGT (r = 0.649; p < 0.05).