Fig. 1
From: Increased peri-ductal collagen micro-organization may contribute to raised mammographic density
A novel workflow for sampling radio-dense breast tissue. A radiologist identified regions of elevated radiographic density in digital mammograms which were then excised by a pathologist prior to histological characterization of collagen abundance and organization in all 22 patients. CC craniocaudal view, MLO mediolateral oblique view. Following stratification of patients into low and high mammographic density (MD) groups (by Volpara® score), in regions of the tissue at least 4 cm from any tumours the molecular, ultrastructural and micro-mechanical drivers of MD were characterized as individuals with low (n = 6) and high (n = 6) MD by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Three of each of the samples with low and high MD (low-MS, and high-MS) were also analysed by mass spectrometry (mass spec). AFM atomic force microscopy