The Link Between Breast and Ovarian Cancer

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For most people, cancer is something that occurs later in life, as gene mutations that cause cancer develop and accumulate over the course of a lifetime of microscopic wear and tear.  In a smaller subset of people, this gene mutation is something that they inherited – thanks mom and dad! – And have had since they were born.  Unfortunately, this damaged gene puts them at higher risk for cancer than most people.

Commonalities with Breast and Ovarian Cancer

For breast and ovarian cancers, mutations in one of two genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2, will greatly increase the risk for both cancers.  With this hereditary gene mutation, if you are diagnosed with breast cancer, the chances you will have ovarian cancer later in life are substantially higher. And vice versa if you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer first. 

We see this in the case of Angelina Jolie, whose family history and inherited BRCA gene mutation led her to have a risk reducing double mastectomy almost 2 years ago.  Moreover, she has also just recently undergone preventative surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes.  Two major surgeries in two years, based mainly on risk factors. 

Knowing your risk can help you make the right medical decisions for yourself, as Angelina Jolie did in her preventative measure.  Cancer gene testing is rather simple, and can be performed on either a blood or cheek swab sample. 

The results of this can tell if a person has one of the two BRCA mutations, and indicate whether they are at an increased risk for breast and ovarian cancers.  People with an inherited gene mutation have a 50% chance of passing this on to their children, so if you have had either breast or ovarian cancer, getting genetic testing may provide critical information for your children in the future.  Although this test does not indicate for cancer – it provides important information for medical decision making.

How to Know If You're at Risk for Breast and Ovarian Cancer

The chance of HBOC (Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer) increases when there is a family/medical history of:

  • Breast cancer at age 50 or younger

  • Breast cancer in both breasts
  • Ashkenazi Jewish heritage and breast cancer before age 60
  • Male breast cancer
  • "Triple-negative" breast cancer
  • Ovarian or fallopian tube cancer
  • Both breast and ovarian cancer

More than one relative on the same side of the family has/had:

  • Breast cancer
  • Ovarian or fallopian tube cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Melanoma