Be alert to benign breast abnormalities

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Certain benign breast tumors may be a sign of an increased risk of cancer.
Not all breast lumps are cancerous, In fact, a degree of “lumpy bumpiness” is normal for most women. But some breast lumps are associated with an increased risk of cancer, say doctors at the Breast Care Center at the University of Michigan. Such lumps can be felt or will show up on a mammogram. Five to ten per cent of these will need additional investigation, including a biopsy.

Some breast changes found at biopsy are linked to a higher risk of developing breast cancer in the future. So it is important for a woman to know what was found. The changes to beware of include atypical ductal hyperplasia, atypical lobular hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ. Women with these changes who have a family history of breast cancer may be at even greater risk of developing the disease. In such cases, it might be appropriate to prescribe medication to reduce the risk.

Source
University of Michigan Health System 3rd April 2006

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