EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS ON BREAST DISEASES DIAGNOSED BY DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY

Abstract

Hormones and growth factors act upon stromal and epithelial cells to regulate mammary gland development, maturation and differentiation. Breast disease in women encompasses a spectrum of benign and malignant disorders. 34 percent of cancer cases among Egyptian women suffer from breast cancer. The rate of recovery from breast cancer may reach up to 98 percent if the disease is detected in its early stages. There are several breast imaging modalities available such as Ultrasound, CT, Digital Mammography, MRI and scintimammography. Mammography remains the cornerstone of breast imaging. When mammography is correctly performed and interpreted it offers the necessary reliability to diagnose the curable forms of breast cancers. A potential risk factor for breast cancer is exposure to environmental estrogens. Environmental estrogens are any of a group of synthetic substances found in the environment that, when absorbed into a person’s system, function in a similar way to estrogen. Estrogen stimulates breast cell growth, and exposure to estrogen over long periods of time, without any breaks, can increase the risk of breast cancer.