Benign breast dysplasia is the most common breast pathology affecting up to 50% of the female population. According to experts from the World Health Organization, benign breast dysplasia is caused by an impaired ratio of epithelial and connective tissue components of the breast tissue and its proliferative changes. The presence of benign breast dysplasia on average doubles the risk of developing breast cancer. Benign breast dysplasia and breast cancer have common risk factors and similar molecular mechanisms of development; therefore, active detection and pathogenetic treatment of benign breast dysplasia is part of the strategy for the prevention of breast cancer. The article presents a review of the current literature data on the pathogenetic mechanisms of benign breast dysplasia and its progression, and reflects the significance of their influence on modifiable risk factors of breast cancer and treatment of benign breast dysplasia. The review discusses current hormonal and non-hormonal conservative therapy for benign breast dysplasia and strategies for cancer prevention.

Conclusion: Benign breast dysplasia should be treated regardless of the clinical manifestations of the disease. In case of patient’s complaints, therapy for benign breast dysplasia should be administered to improve the patient’s general well-being and the clinical picture of the disease, which in turn should improve the patient’s quality of life. In addition to the above objectives, pathogenetic therapy should be considered as a strategy to prevent carcinogenesis in breast tissue.