Rise in breast cancer leading to more ovarian cancer

Breast cancer, the leading cause of mortality among women in India, is being seen as an augmenting factor in the rise in ovarian cancer cases as well, according to medical experts.

A surgical oncologist , says women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer remain at a higher risk of contracting ovarian cancer due to the presence of the same gene that triggers both cancers.

“Genes are responsible for cancer. Owing to the rise in the incidence of breast cancer, we have observed that there is a considerable increase in cases of ovarian cancer as well in the past few years. Even at that hospital, there have been many cases where a female patient has been diagnosed with both,” the Dr. says.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are human genes that produce tumor suppressor proteins. However, when either of these genes is mutated — meaning it doesn’t function correctly — the damage to the DNA may not be repaired properly. As a result, cells are more likely to develop additional genetic alterations that can lead to cancer.

“There are two types of genes — BRCA1 and BRCA2 — which are responsible for both breast and ovarian cancer. Dysfunction of these two genes increases the chances of getting diagnosed with both the cancers. An individual with breast cancer, therefore, remains at risk of facing ovarian cancer and vice versa,” Dr. Ray noted.

“If one has breast cancer, there are 30-35 percent chances of also having ovarian cancer. And if the person has ovarian cancer, there are 10-15 percent chances of getting diagnosed with breast cancer,” an oncologist noted.

Specific inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 most notably increasing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, but they have also been associated with increased risks of several additional types of the disease like fallopian tube cancer, peritoneal cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
Women who have inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 tend to develop breast and ovarian cancers at younger ages than those without these mutations.

Although presumed to be more common among women above 50, Dr. noted that both breast and ovarian cancer cases are increasing among women below 35 as well.

“This is owing to poor lifestyle habits. And this is not confined to any particular economic class. A sedentary lifestyle further escalates it,” he added.

Since both cancers are related to genetics, medical experts suggested that women should start screening and gene-testing at an early age.

“For, say, if one or two family members had breast or ovarian cancer then all the women in that family should be tested for BRCA 1 and BRCA 2. Secondly, the screening for both breast and ovarian cancer should start early in life. Suppose a woman’s mother had breast cancer at the age of 45, then she should start mammography at the age of 35,” Dr. pointed out.

In India, however, gene tests are still costly which is why many women fail to get diagnosed in time. Dr.  said that a gene test would cost around Rs 25,000 to Rs 26,000.

“In India, almost 90 percent patients come to a doctor when in an advanced stage because they don’t get detected at an early stage. The main reason is that the symptoms of ovarian cancers are very vague. Despite all types of high-tech surgeries, the survival rate is less than 30 percent,” Dr. added.

The doctors claimed that if detected early, both cancers are curable.

“Nowadays, treatment is very good. If a woman diagnosed with breast cancer is detected and treated at an early stage, there are fewer chances of her having ovarian cancer,” Dr. explained.

According to the latest report, breast cancer is leading cancer among Indian women. The report also stated that ovarian cancer has the sixth-highest incidence rate with the majority in some states.

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