The Variation of Breast Parenchymal Patterns with Age

The Wolfe classification of mammographic parenchymal patterns has been applied to 9036 women attending a Breast Cancer Screening Unit. Overall, two thirds fell into high risk categories (P₂ and DY). The incidence of DY decreases with age, while the low risk categories (N₁ and P₁) increase with age. P₂ remains constant over most of the age range. The implications of these findings are discussed and comparison is made with other series.