Connection Between Skin Cancer & Breast Cancer

Being diagnosed with one form of cancer is hard enough for anyone. But researchers have discovered that people with breast cancer are at higher risk for melanoma (skin cancer) and vice versa.

Identification

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, a large percentage of breast cancer patients develop melanoma, many within one year of breast cancer diagnosis.

Significance

Melanoma is the most common form of cancer, and the deadliest, among young women between the ages of 25 and 29. Breast cancer is deadliest among young women from ages 30 to 34.

Scientific Research

A 13-year study in Ireland led by photobiologist Gillian M. Murphy, MD, examined 34,385 patients with either melanoma or breast cancer and found 127 patients had both forms of cancer. The number would have had to be between 30 and 35 for the correlation to be considered statistically insignificant.

Statistics

Those with skin cancer are already at a greater risk of developing other forms of cancer. However, the risk of developing breast cancer is four times greater.

Theories/Speculation

The exact link between the two cancers is still unknown. There are theories, however, regarding the effects of treatments for the cancers, as well as hormone changes due to breast cancer therapy, as being the connection.

References

• The Skin Cancer Foundation - Breast Cancer Patients May Be More Susceptible to Melanoma
• The Skin Cancer Foundation - Melanoma and Breast Cancer: A New Warning