Did You Know These Two Cancers Share a Common Risk? The Overlapping Threat of Bre.ast and Ovarian Cancer—and What You Can Do About It
Two of the most prevalent and dangerous cancers in women globally are breast and ovarian cancers.
Despite the fact that these malignancies impact various bodily areas, studies have revealed a close relationship between them.
Certain hereditary genes, namely BRCA1 and BRCA2, are primarily responsible for this association.
Various genes have a significant impact on the initiation and progression of various malignancies.
Early detection and prevention of cancer may be aided by knowledge of how these gene alterations impact cancer risk.
🔬 The Role of BRCA Genes
The genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 typically aid in the prevention of cancer by repairing damaged DNA.
The cells remain healthy as a result.
However, these genes cease to function correctly when they are altered or modified.
This implies that cancer may develop as a result of damaged cells proliferating and spreading.
Women who have dangerous BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations are far more likely to get ovarian and breast cancer.
Both parents, not just the mother, can pass on certain mutations.
This implies that even if a man does not get cancer, he can still carry and pass on these genes.
Because of this, it’s critical to consider your entire family’s medical history, not just your mother’s side.
📊 What Dangers Exist?
The American Cancer Society claims that:
- Women with a BRCA1 mutation bear a 44% risk of ovarian cancer and a 72% lifetime risk of breast cancer.
- Women who have a BRCA2 mutation are approximately 69% likely to get breast cancer and 17% likely to develop ovarian cancer.
The average woman, for example, has a 1.3% chance of ovarian cancer and a 13% chance of breast cancer.
Women who have these mutations are far more vulnerable, as these figures demonstrate.
🔁 The Impact of One Cancer on the Risk of Another
Breast cancer survivors are at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer in the future, particularly if they received their diagnosis early in life or have a family history of the disease.
According to research, women who have survived breast cancer are almost twice as likely to get ovarian cancer as those who have never had the disease.
Women with BRCA mutations are considerably more at risk.
However, common lifestyle choices, hormones, or environmental factors may raise the risk for both forms of cancer even in the absence of these mutations.
🧬 An Important Hint Is Family History
Your risk is increased if you have close relatives who have had ovarian or breast cancer.
You are more likely to develop cancer if your mother, sister, or daughter had it, especially when they were young.
If more than one family member was impacted, the danger increases even further.
That’s why genetic counseling and testing for BRCA mutations can be life-saving.
A positive test result helps doctors plan better checkups and take steps to minimize your risk, but it does not guarantee that you will acquire cancer.
🩺 Strategies for Early Cancer Detection and Prevention
You have more control when you are aware of your risk.
There are more alternatives for early detection and prevention for women who are at high risk of developing cancer.
Extra Screening
1.
Breast cancer screening may begin earlier for high-risk women than for others.
For more precise results, this may involve both breast MRIs and mammograms.
Although it is more difficult to detect ovarian cancer early, some high-risk women may benefit from transvaginal ultrasounds and regular blood tests to check for cancerous growths.
2. Surgery for Prevention
To reduce their risk, some women with BRCA mutations decide to have surgery:
- The risk of breast cancer can be reduced by up to 95% with a preventive mastectomy, which involves removing one or both breasts.
- Ovarian and fallopian tube removal can lower the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 90%.
If done prior to menopause, it may also lower the risk of breast cancer.
Although these operations are significant choices that may have an emotional and physical impact on a woman, many believe the risk reduction justifies the procedure.
3. Medications
Some medications can lower the risk of cancer.
Tamoxifen and raloxifene are examples of Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) that inhibit the hormone estrogen, which promotes the growth of some breast cancers.
Although these medications help reduce the incidence of breast cancer in women who are at high risk, not everyone should use them due to potential side effects.
🧘 Additional Risk Considerations
In addition to genetics, the following variables can raise the risk of ovarian and breast cancer:
- Obesity increases estrogen, which can fuel several types of cancer.
- Due to ongoing ovulation, never having a full-term pregnancy may raise the risk of ovarian cancer.
- Hormone replacement treatment (HRT) can raise the risk of both malignancies if used for an extended period of time, particularly after menopause when it contains both estrogen and progestin.
💪 The first step is to understand your risks.
The possibility that your genes could cause cancer can be unsettling.
However, being aware of your risk also empowers you to take action.
Today’s women have access to customized health plans, quicker genetic testing, and more information.
Consult your physician about the best ways to maintain your health if you are at a higher risk.
This could entail altering your way of living, taking medicine, scheduling more frequent checks, or even thinking about having surgery.
✅ Concluding Remarks
Although they may impact separate body areas, breast and ovarian cancers are closely related, particularly due to alterations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
Women who are aware of this link are better able to evaluate their risk for cancer, make informed health decisions, and take action to either avoid cancer or detect it early, when treatment is more manageable.
Preventing these potentially fatal illnesses can be greatly aided by early testing, understanding your family history, and utilizing the most recent screening and treatment options.
