Benign Breast Disease and the Risk of Breast Cancer

More than 9000 women were followed for a median of 15 years after a diagnosis of benign breast disease. As compared with women in a SEER database, they had an increased risk of subsequent breast cancer, especially if the benign lesion showed signs of atypia. A family history of breast cancer and younger age at diagnosis also increased the risk. Cancers developed in either breast, but an excess number occurred in the same breast. More than 9000 women were followed for a median of 15 years after a diagnosis of benign breast disease. The women had an increased risk of subsequent breast cancer, especially if the benign lesion showed signs of atypia. Benign breast disease is an important risk factor for a later breast cancer, which can develop in either breast. 1 It encompasses a spectrum of histologic entities, usually subdivided into nonproliferative lesions, proliferative lesions without atypia, and atypical hyperplasias, with an increased risk of breast cancer associated with proliferative or atypical lesions. 2 – 4 The identification of benign breast disease has become more common as the use of mammography has increased, and thus, having accurate risk estimates for women who receive this diagnosis is imperative. Important questions remain, however, about the degree of risk associated with the common nonproliferative benign entities and . . .