Dear osgrl: Atypical ductal hyperplasia is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. But it is not cancer. It is not precancer. Your age plays into it primarily because you have a lot of hormone rich years in front of you - making your lifetime risk period - long. There are options to consider for prevention, including 5 years of tamoxifen and mastectomy (remember, a mastectomy is not foolproof - there is always some breast tissue left behind, particularly subcutaneosly). Before proceding with one of these methods, it is very important to consider your risk (family history etc.). You may benefit from a discussion with a genetic counselor and/or experience breast specialist who can evaluate your risk, discuss issues with you such as childbearing etc. and determine the best plan for surveillance/prevention.
I have ADH and I have chosen the Tamoxifen. So far so good. I think you might want to talk to a breast spec. Subcutaneous mastectomy a huge decision and you should have all the information thats out there to make the best decision for you.
Good Luck
I had subcutaneous mastectomies in the 70's at age 34 or so...it was done as a preventative secondary to similar test results as well as a horrific family history...I believe I am here today because of that surgery good luck