Breast Cancer Incidence Subsequent to Surgical Reduction of the Female Breast

Abstract

The incidence of breast cancer was determined in 1 245 women who were treated surgically for breast hypertrophy in Copenhagen, Denmark, between 1943 and 1971. Breast cancer cases were identified by a linkage to the Danish Cancer Registry. The expected number of breast cancers was estimated from age and calendar-time specific incidence rates in the Danish female population. A total of 18 breast cancers developed compared to 30.28 expected, yielding a relative risk (RR) of 0.59 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35-0.94). The greatest risk reduction was observed ten or more years after the plastic surgery operation in women who had 600 g or more of breast tissue removed (RR=0.27; 95% CI 0.03-0.99). This suggests that the number of potential foci are important for cancer development in the breast.

Key Words:

• reduction mammaplasty
• breast cancer risk