Certain conditions of the breast are noncancerous, but are considered abnormalities that could increase a woman’s lifetime risk of breast cancer. These conditions are generally incidental findings when a woman has a breast biopsy or some other breast surgery. They are generally not found on mammogram or clinical breast exam.

The Risk Assessment Program at Jefferson’s Breast Health Center can help you estimate your overall risk for developing breast cancer, and can assist you in taking steps to reduce your risk, including screening recommendations, medications and lifestyle changes, and referrals to clinical trials for women at increased risk for developing breast cancer. All women will be benefit from having a breast cancer risk assessment to assist their effort to reduce their risk, and to detect cancer as early as possible.

Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH)
Hyperplasia means increase in the size and number of normal cells in certain tissue. In ADH, cells that line the milk ducts of the breast grow overactively and abnormally (atypical). This causes a thicker, uneven layer of cells within the duct.

Normally, ADH cannot be felt. It is often an incidental finding on breast biopsy or other breast surgery, as a result of evaluation for some other type of breast problem.

ADH is not considered a cancer, and in most women it is harmless and will not lead to further problems. However, it does slightly increase a women’s risk for developing breast cancer in her lifetime compared to the average woman.

Care: Your healthcare provider will recommend screening and follow-up, which will involve an annual mammogram, as well as a clinical breast exam every six months. Your provider may also suggest risk-reducing measures, including medications such as tamoxifen, and lifestyle changes. Sometimes it is desirable to surgically remove the area of ADH to make sure there are no other abnormalities in or around it.

Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (LCIS)
In LCIS, cells that line the milk-producing lobes (lobular cells) at the base of the milk ducts of the breast grow overactively and abnormally. This causes a thicker, uneven layer within the lobe. When the cell changes in the lobes are very unusual, the condition is no longer considered just a hyperplasia but an LCIS. “In situ” means “in place,” describing a growth that has not spread out of the area of the body where it originally developed. LCIS is not cancer, but is considered to increase a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

It is often an incidental finding as a result of evaluation for some other type of breast problem and is generally not found on mammogram or clinical breast exam.

Care: Your healthcare provider will recommend screening and follow-up, which will involve an annual mammogram, as well as a clinical breast exam every six months. Your provider may also suggest risk-reducing measures, including medications, such as tamoxifen; prophylactic surgery; and lifestyle changes.