Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Current random fine needle breast aspiration (FNA) evidence of 1 of the following:

- Hyperplasia with atypia

- Hyperplasia without atypia but with a 10-year modified Gail risk of at least 4%

- Hyperplasia without atypia but with a BRCAPRO risk of at least 25%

- Hyperplasia without atypia but with a known mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2

- Hyperplasia without atypia but with a history of contralateral ductal carcinoma
in situ or invasive breast cancer

- FNA must have been taken during days 1-14 of the menstrual cycle for premenopausal
women

- Classified as ACR class I-III on mammogram with stepwedge within past 6 months If
intact uterus and/or ovaries, must have color doppler transvaginal pelvic sonogram
within past 6 months showing endometrial thickening no greater than 13 mm
premenopausal or no greater than 8 mm postmenopausal

- No ovarian cysts felt to be possibly or probably non-physiologic that have not
resolved to gynecologist's satisfaction on repeat sonogram

- Must agree to have or have had genetic counseling and genetic testing performed for
BRCA1 and BRCA2

- No active cancer (e.g., detectable disease)

- Hormone receptor status:

- Not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Sex:

- Female

Menopausal status:

- Any

Performance status:

- Not specified

Life expectancy:

- At least 12 months

Hematopoietic:

- Hemoglobin greater than 10 g/dL

- Granulocyte count greater than 1,000/mm^3

- No deficiencies in protein C, protein S, or antithrombin III

- No activated protein C resistance

Hepatic:

- Albumin greater than 3.0 g/dL

- Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL

- AST less than 100 U/L

- Alkaline phosphatase less than 200 U/L

Renal:

- Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

- No history of deep venous thrombosis not related to trauma or pregnancy

- No severe coronary artery disease

- No history of prior stroke

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study

- No other active cancer

- No retinal vein thrombosis

- No concurrent severe poorly controlled migraine

- No factor V Leiden mutation carrier

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- At least 12 months since prior immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

- At least 3 months between completion of prior KUMC phase II difluoromethylornithine
(DFMO) study and baseline aspiration

- At least 12 months since prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

- Must not have started or stopped hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives
within 6 months of baseline aspiration

- Must continue all hormone replacement therapy and/or oral contraceptives that were
being taken at time of baseline aspiration

- At least 12 months since prior tamoxifen, raloxifene, or other antihormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

- At least 3 months since prior radiotherapy

Surgery:

- At least 6 months between prior oophorectomy and baseline aspiration

Other:

- At least 2 weeks since the start of other new medication that would be ingested for 1
or more months