The link between prostate cancer and breast cancer

Men with a personal or family history of breast cancer have a higher than normal risk of developing prostate cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, many studies have shown a link between prostate cancer and breast cancer. Accordingly, a family history of breast cancer is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Certain genetic mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer in men can lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer. There are similar biological processes that may contribute to the development of both of these cancers.

Research by Emory University (USA) shows that men with a personal history of breast cancer or a family history of breast cancer have a higher risk of prostate cancer than the general population. Both of these cancers are associated with inflammation and have similar carcinogenic (cancer cell growth) processes.

Researchers from the Department of Clinical Genetics, Fox Chase Cancer Center Philadelphia (USA) found that mutations in the two genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase the risk of ovarian cancer and the risk of cancer. breasts are higher in both women and men. These gene mutations often run in families. However, sometimes this gene develops without genetic factors.

Men with inherited mutations in these two genes also have an increased risk of prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer. Mutations in the BRCA2 gene are more strongly correlated with prostate cancer risk than BRCA1.

Men with inherited mutations in the two genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 have an increased risk of prostate cancer. Photo: Freepik.

Prostate cancer is a common cancer in men. According to the National Cancer Institute, most cases of the disease are detected when cancer cells are still confined to the prostate gland. The disease is easiest to treat when the cancer is confined to the prostate. At this stage, surgery and radiation therapy are more likely to be curative, possibly killing and removing the cancer cells present.

If left untreated, cancer can grow and spread outside the prostate gland to nearby tissues or to more distant parts of the body. Cancer can erode directly through the mantle surrounding the prostate gland. Cancer can also spread down blood vessels, lymph nodes, or along nerves exiting the prostate.

When cancer cells enter these vessels, prostate cancer can "seed" into any part of the body. The seminal vesicles are the earliest and most common site of spread. Wider spread can occur when cancer cells invade a nearby bladder or rectum. This cancer also often metastasizes to the bones, especially the lower spine, pelvis, and femur. Alternatively, the tumor can spread to other organs such as the liver, brain, or lungs, but is much rarer.

Prostate cancer is a complex disease, depending on factors such as tumor status, stage, age, overall health... that the patient determines the appropriate treatment option (chemoradiation) treatment, surgery, drugs, etc.). Treatment for this and many other cancers is often more effective in the early stages. Therefore, men should have regular health check-ups to detect cancer early. People with high risk factors such as a family history of this cancer or breast cancer, a personal history of breast cancer, carrying a mutated gene, smoking... should also be screened early.