Managing patients with high-risk breast lesions, precursors on the breast neoplasia pathway

Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. Imaging abnormalities may be noted on routine breast cancer screenings and require biopsy for further evaluation. Atypia and carcinoma in situ are nonmalignant lesions identified via breast biopsy and are associated with an increased risk of invasive carcinoma. Because of the lack of specialized breast cancer prevention and risk reduction programs, patients may not be able to access optimal management of the various subtypes of atypia and carcinoma in situ. By understanding the pathology of high-risk breast lesions and the resulting elevated cancer risk, healthcare providers, specifically primary care providers, can better counsel, manage, and treat patients to provide comprehensive quality care.