Cancer of the breast and ovaries: Connection and risk determinants
A Tale of Two Cancers
There's a solid bondBetween breast cancer and ovarian,Owing mostly to genetic factors. The link's particularly strongFor those carrying mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2.
Both cancers share certain genetic risksThat increase a person's chance of both. The lineup includes older age, excessive weight, and pregnancy history.
Do They Increase Each Other's Risk?
If someone's battled breast cancer, they might be proneTo developing ovarian cancer, mainly due to existing BRCA mutations.
Yet, this heightened risk is connected to the inherited genes, not the disease itself. Studies reveal that breast cancer patients are roughly twice as likelyTo face primary ovarian cancer.
Conversely, ovarian cancer survivors may face a 1.6-fold increased riskOf breast cancer, with the risk fluctuating over time since diagnosis.
Shared Genetic Threats
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations dominate the rosterOf risks shared by breast and ovarian cancer cases. Surveys estimate that around 5-10% of all breast cancer familiesAnd 10-15% of ovarian cancer lineages have BRCA1 mutations, while approximately 20% of those with ovarian cancer and 6-10% of breast cancer patients have BRCA2 mutations.
Other Risk Factors
A family history of breast or ovarian cancer, older age, weight issues, pregnancy factors, and breastfeeding habits round out the risks.
Can the Risk be Reduced?
Certain risks, like those related to previous cancers, can't be altered, but they can be managed through close monitoring, lifestyle adjustments, and, on occasion, preventive medical procedures.
Modifiable Threats
Playing the weight game, exercising regularly, cutting back on alcohol, and reassessing contraception options contribute to lower breast cancer risks. Exercise, while less tested for ovarian cancer, may offer benefits akin to those for breast cancer.
Outlook
A 2020 study hints at a promising outlook for individuals diagnosed with both breast and ovarian cancers, boasting 5- and 10-year overall survival rates of nearly 90%.
The outlook tends to be brighter when the time between the two cancers is extended, but ovarian cancer diagnosed afterward breast cancer often occurs late, negatively impacting survival.
When to Contact a Doctor
Those experiencing signs of breast or ovarian cancer, particularly with a family or personal history, must consult a physician. Keep a close eye out for recurrence or another cancer after a previous diagnosis.
Cancer Resources
Dive deeper into cancer-related topics at our dedicated hub.
FAQ
- Ovarian cancer can up the ante for various cancers, including bladder, bile duct, colorectal, acute leukemia, and melanoma of the eye.
- Although rare, breast cancer can spread to the ovaries, typically in advanced stages, more likely in hormone-receptor-positive cancers or those carrying BRCA mutations.
- High-risk ovarian cancer candidates include BRCA mutation carriers, those with a family history of ovarian, breast, or colorectal cancer, Lynch syndrome patients, endometriosis sufferers, first pregnancies after 30, nulliparity, and elderly women.
Summary
Two cancers dance a complex waltz, mainly due to shared genetic mutations (BRCA1 and BRCA2). If you're a carrier of these mutations, your risk of developing either cancer increases significantly.
Keep a close eye on your risks and consult a healthcare professional regularly to assess your chance of developing breast or ovarian cancer and to discuss strategies for prevention and early detection.
- The link between breast cancer and ovarian cancer is largely due to genetic factors, with a particular focus on mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2.
- If someone has previously battled breast cancer, they might be prone to developing ovarian cancer, primarily due to existing BRCA mutations.
- Studies show that breast cancer patients are around twice as likely to face primary ovarian cancer.
- Conversely, ovarian cancer survivors may face a 1.6-fold increased risk of breast cancer.
- BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations dominate the list of risks shared by breast and ovarian cancer cases, with approximately 5-10% of all breast cancer families and 10-15% of ovarian cancer lineages having BRCA1 mutations, while around 20% of those with ovarian cancer and 6-10% of breast cancer patients have BRCA2 mutations.
