Prostate Cancer/Breast Cancer Link?
According to a story on Fox News, researchers in Australia have discovered a link between Prostate Cancer and Breast Cancer (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356568,00.html). It appears that the same gene is found in both. My question is, if my father died of prostate cancer, does that put me at a greater risk for breast cancer? If so, should I begin having mammograms earlier than age 40?
Cancer - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Having a mother or father that has had any form of cancer puts you at greater risk, not necessarily for breast cancer though. Talk it over with your doctor. My mother had breast cancer and my father had prostrate (both died), but my doctor hasn't pushed the mammogram issue.....yet anyway! (I'm 42)
2 :
I agree with im here, but ask you to realize that the newest "find" is not more than a theory or a supposed "link" at this time. All sorts of things can be "proven" with studies and statistics. It is not uncommon that they are later shown to be incorrect.
3 :
Cancers of the sexual organs occur, most often due to long term sexual deficiencies in life. If the truth be known, everyone has a genetic risk for cancers of the breast and sexual organs. The reason genes mutate, and become cancerous, is due to an evolutionary adaptation that all animals have. In early human evolution, there were many challenges and dangers to the species. We very nearly became extinct on many occasions. In order for the human race to survive, our species had two advantages. One was our intelligence. The other was our ability to reproduce rapidly. When rescources, like food, water, shelter, etc were in short supply, nature gave the most advantage to the most productive of our ancestors. The ones producing the most offspring. Those not producing off spring, helping the species to survive, were possibly consuming scarce rescources that could better go to the one who were engaged in the business of reproduction. Those not engaged in the business of reproduction, (ie. SEX) were Expendable, and nature found many ways to accomplish this among them cancer. Just because you have an identifyable gene that could become cancerous doesn't entirely mean the you will likely get the cancer. There are substances in the sexual essences that prevent the mutation in the majority of cases. You may never have heard of this, and many will undoubtly be skeptical; But in years to come, lifetime sexual activity, will be the "Gold Standard" by which a persons risk for cancers of the sexual organs is judged.
4 :
I have also heard that there is a "link" between prostate cancer and breast cancer. My paternal grandmother died of breast cancer. My father had prostate cancer. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 41 last year. I was tested for the two breast cancer genes and I was negative. I am going back for more genetic counseling so intend on looking more into this "connection".
5 :
i have not heard of prosate and breast cancer being linked before but i have not been up to date on the news, my paternal grandmother had breast cancer and my father had lymphoma cancer i was diagnosed w breast cancer in nov 07 i was tested for the BRCA gene and was positive, my sister was also tested and she is positive she does not have cancer, but she is it risk since she carries the gene. the oncologist that did our testing said that ins covers it and b/c my sister had a relative that has cancer her ins cannot "tag" her w/ having something wrong b/c it is considered discrimination, hope that helps. i hope user "im here" reads this and gets here obgyn to push for a mammogram
