How does the reduction of glandular tissue effect the force and breast thickness in mammography?

Purpose: To determine whether breast thickness decreases with menopause after the reduction of glandular tissue. We also wanted to know how the decrease in breast thickness affects the compression force and the average glandular dose. Methods: In this project, we collected data regarding the compression force, breast thickness and mean glandular dose of 300 patients who had mammographic imaging in two views: CC (craniocaudal) and MLO (mediolateral oblique) view. The data were divided into three age groups: 100 patients aged 50 to 55, 100 patients aged 60 to 65 and 100 patients aged 70 to 75 years. We used basic statistical tests for measurement purposes, while we used the Shapiro–Wilk test to check normality and the Kruskal–Wallis test to compare the differences. Results and discussion: We presented the results and comparisons in the tables and box plot graphs for CC and MLO views of the left and right breast for compression force, breast thickness and MGD. In the CC view of the both breasts, we found that there were statistically signifi cant differences in thickness between groups 1 and 3, and differences in MGD between groups 1 and 2, and 1 and 3. In the MLO view of both breasts we found that compression force does not increase with the age of patients, which can be attributed to the different size and density of breasts, and different compression force. Higher compression force results in lower MGD and breast thickness. Conclusion: In the CC view of left and right breast, there is no statistically signifi cant differences in compression force, but thickness and MGD changed between some groups. In the MLO view, only MGD changed. For further research, we recommend taking measurements on a larger sample, and concurrently considering and examining other factors that may affect breast thickness, compression force and MGD.