Breast Lump Biopsy

I am a 45 year-old female. I recently had my 1st biopsy for
a benign breast lump.  The pathologist report showed
a benign fibroadenoma with atypical hperplasia and
fibrocystic changes.  I have no breast cancer history
in my family.  However, my mother had uterine cancer
at age 38.  I have heard that atypical hperplasia leads
to breast cancer.  I currently have a mammogram every
year.  Should I have mammograms more often?  Is there anything
that I can do to reduce my risk of later  developing
breast cancer?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear lobey:  Atypical hyperplasia is a condition that demonstrates early cellular changes.  If left indefinitely, it is presumed that the changes would become malignant.  Of course, no one knows how long it would take in any individual case.  Depending on the physician, some recommend mammography every 6 months for a year or two and others recommend annual mammography.  You may also want to speak with your doctor about using tamoxifen for prevention.  There are several studies looking at this and Raloxifen for prevention in high risk, post-menopausal women.  Uterine cancer is not as closely related to breast cancer as ovarian cancer.  Families with high incidences of ovarian or breast cancer have higher incidences of both cancers.  For some this is believed to be genetic and there is testing for this.

[sandie]

TALK TO YOUR DACTOR ND SEE IF YOU NEED A UTURES BIOPSY AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.  I HAD BREAST CANCER AND WAS TOLD THAT THOSE TWO CANCERS ARE FOUND TO GO HAND IN HAND. THIS IS NOTHING TO PLAY AROUND WITH.  I'VE HEARD UTURES CANCER IS HARD TO FIND EARLY AND TREATABLE. PLEASE TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR AND GOOD FOR YOU ON YOUR MAMMOGRAMS.  I HAD ONE EVERY YEAR FOR 15 YEARS AND 4 YEARS AGO I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. I WAS ONLY 45 WHEN MINE WAS FOUND. SO KEEP UP THE EXAMINES. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.