Are Cancer patients at risk for other cancers?

Scripture of the Day:

          Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day, and having done all, to stand firmly in your place. 

Ephesians 6:13

Women who survive either breast or thyroid cancer are at greater risk of developing the other type in the future as a secondary malignancy, says research published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

It was found that breast cancer was the most common type of cancer in women in 2012 and over 50,000 women died of breast cancer that year. 

The thyroid is located at the base of the throat and produces hormones that regulate heart rate, body temperature and weight. There are 4 types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic.  Thyroid cancer has tripled in the last 30 years. 

In research by Dr. Raymond H. Grogan and colleagues, it was found that a breast cancer survivor was 1.55 times more likely to develop thyroid cancer.  A woman with thyroid cancer was 1.18 times more likely to develop breast cancer.

There could be common hormonal risk factors for both diseases. Previous studies suggest that exposure to estrogens and to thyroid-stimulating hormones could, theoretically, contribute to the development of a secondary breast or thyroid cancer.

Radiation exposure is a risk factor for thyroid cancer, although protecting the thyroid during treatment should minimize the danger.

Genetic factors, such as a germline mutation, could link breast and thyroid cancer. Cowden syndrome, for example, appears to increase the chance of developing both cancers. However, Dr. Grogan says this alone cannot explain the higher risks observed in the present study.

All of this information was found on the website shared in this post.  As a breast cancer survivor, it is very disconcerting to learn of these statics.  The only thing that I can say to anyone reading this is that early detection is key.  I have endlessly preached early detection either on this blog or among my family and friends. 

Something that I do as I wait for my next oncology or breast surgeon checkup is write down questions to ask them.  Questions about this will certainly be on my list. 

Medical News Today

If you are making this journey as I am, may God bless you and make you whole.