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Table 12: Hyperplasia and breast cancer risk

 

This summary table contains detailed information about research studies. Summary tables offer an informative look at the science behind many breast cancer guidelines and recommendations. However, they should be viewed with some caution. In order to read and interpret research tables successfully, it is important to understand some key concepts. Learn how to read a research table.

Introduction: Hyperplasia is a benign breast condition where some breast cells are dividing more quickly than normal. There are two types of hyperplasia: atypical and usual. In atypical hyperplasia, the dividing cells look abnormal under a microscope. With usual hyperplasia, the dividing cells look normal.  

Findings from the cohort and nested case-control studies below show both types of hyperplasia increase the risk of breast cancer, but atypical hyperplasia increases risk to a greater degree than usual hyperplasia does. 

Learn more about hyperplasia and breast cancer risk.

Learn more about benign breast conditions.

Learn about the strengths and weaknesses of different types of studies. 

See how this risk factor compares with other risk factors for breast cancer. 

Study selection criteria: Prospective cohort and nested case-control studies with at least 60 cases.

Table note: Relative risk above 1 indicates increased risk. Relative risk below 1 indicates decreased risk.  

Study 

Study Population
(number of participants) 

Follow-up
 (years) 

Relative Risk of Breast Cancer in Women with Hyperplasia
Compared to Women without Hyperplasia, by Type,
RR (95% CI) 

Usual
Hyperplasia 

Atypical
Hyperplasia 

Prospective cohort studies  

Hartmann et al. [1]

9,087
(707 cases)

15

1.88 (1.66-2.12)

4.24 (3.26-5.41)

Breast Cancer Prevention Trial-NSABP [2]

11,307
(338 cases)

6.6

1.60 (1.17-2.19)

  
 

Study Population
(number of participants) 

Relative Risk of Breast Cancer in Women with Hyperplasia
Compared to Women without Hyperplasia, by Type, RR (95% CI) 

Cases 

Controls 

Usual
Hyperplasia 

Atypical
Hyperplasia 

Nested case-control studies  

Dupont et al. [3]

1,925

1,378

1.9 (1.2-2.9)

5.3 (3.1-8.8)

Kabat et al. [4]

615

624

1.45 (1.10-1.90)

5.27 (2.29-12.15)

Nurses' Health Study and Nurses' Health Study II [5]

282

1,223

1.54 (1.12-2.11)

4.43 (2.93-6.69)

Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project [6]

95

190

1.3 (0.77-2.2)

4.3 (1.7-11.0)

Palli et al. [7]

62

315

1.3 (0.5-3.5)

13.0 (4.1-41.7)

References 

  1. Hartmann LC, Sellers TA, Frost MH, et al. Benign breast disease and the risk of breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 353(3):229-37, 2005.
  2. Wang J, Costantino JP, Tan-Chiu E, et al. Lower-category benign breast disease and the risk of invasive breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 96(8):616-20, 2004.
  3. Dupont WD and Page DL. Risk factors of breast cancer in women with proliferative breast disease. N Engl J Med. 312(3):146-151, 1985.
  4. Kabat GC, Jones JG, Olson N, et al. A multi-center prospective cohort study of benign breast disease and risk of subsequent breast cancer. Cancer Causes Control. 21(6):821-8, 2010.
  5. Tamimi RM, Byrne B, Baer H, et al. Benign breast disease, recent alcohol consumption, and risk of breast cancer: a nested case-control study. Breast Cancer Res. 7(4):R555-62, 2005.
  6. Dupont WD, Parl FF, Hartmann WH, et al. Breast cancer risk associated with proliferative breast disease and atypical hyperplasia. Cancer. 71(4):1258-1265, 1993.
  7. Palli D, Rosselli del Turco M, et al. Benign breast disease and breast cancer: a case-control study in a cohort in Italy. Int J Cancer. 47(5):703-705, 1991. 

Updated 08/13/12