Content provided by Jason Wilson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, Sentara Health
Being diagnosed with breast cancer is a life-changing event. For many women, there is a lingering concern about recurrence or developing another cancer. The American Society of Breast Surgeons believes that all women should have access to genetic testing. Having a change in one of these genes may increase the risk of developing another type of cancer. For example, women who have abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have an increased risk of ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer (and prostrate cancer is increased in male carriers). Those patients with abnormal BRCA2 also have an increased risk of melanoma skin cancer. Patients with genetic changes may also have an increased risk of stomach cancer (CDH1 gene) or colorectal cancer.
In addition to genetic causes, women may be at increased risk for secondary cancers caused by their treatments. These include endometrial cancer, which is linked to tamoxifen; soft tissue cancers; lung cancer; thyroid cancer related to radiation therapy, and even certain blood cancers, which can be related to chemotherapy.
There is also data that suggests that there may be an increase in the risk of melanoma following a breast cancer diagnosis. It is not clear why this may be the case, but it is important to be aware of the potential risk.1
It is important, following a cancer diagnosis, to remember other cancers you might be at risk of developing and make sure you get appropriate screening. For melanoma, it is important to limit your sun exposure, particularly during the brightest times of the day, wear skin protection including sunscreen, and get skin checks with the dermatologist, particularly if you have something you are concerned about. If you are between 50 and 80 and smoke, or have a history of smoking, it is important to consider getting a low dose screening CT scan. In addition, you should get appropriate screening for colorectal cancer.
References
- Jeyakumar A et al. The Melanoma and Breast Cancer Association: An Overview of their "Second Primary Cancers" and the Epidemiological, Genetic and Biological correlations. Critcal Reviews in Oncology/Hematology 152 (2020).