Having breast cancer can boost your risk of developing ovarian cancer. This is due to shared risk factors such as genetic changes, obesity, and hormone replacement therapy.
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women. Researchers estimate that 316,950 women in the United States will receive a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2025.
Having a prior diagnosis of breast cancer can also increase your risk of other cancers. One of these cancers is ovarian cancer.
This article looks at how breast cancer can increase your risk of ovarian cancer, along with symptoms, risk factors, and treatment.
Some women who’ve had breast cancer may go on to develop ovarian cancer. The results of a
These results support those of an earlier 2018 study that also found women who had had breast cancer were more likely to get ovarian cancer. This study also observed that women who went on to develop ovarian cancer after breast cancer were more likely to have had:
- breast cancer at a younger age, especially between the ages of 30 to 39
- estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) breast cancer
One of the reasons for this increased risk is genetics. Breast cancer and ovarian cancer can run in families.
Genetic changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes boost the risk of breast cancer and the risk of ovarian cancer. People with these genetic variants are also more likely to develop cancer
Another reason that ovarian cancer can happen after breast cancer is that these two cancers share the same risk factors.
- having overweight or obesity
- using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after menopause
- not having children or having children at a later age
Does breast cancer increase your risk of other cancers?
Breast cancer may also increase the risk of other cancers. For example, the large-scale
In addition to endometrial cancer, the
- blood and bone marrow, especially a kind of cancer called acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- digestive tract, such as the esophagus, stomach, and colon
- melanoma
- salivary gland
- soft tissues, a type of cancer called sarcoma
- thyroid
The ACS notes that the increased risk of these cancers could be due to genetic factors or the effects of certain breast cancer treatments like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.
In addition to a prior history of breast cancer, further primary risk factors for ovarian cancer include:
- being an older age
- having a family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer
- having known genetic changes that increase the risk of ovarian cancer
- having overweight or obesity
- using HRT after menopause
- not having children or having children at a later age
- undergoing fertility treatment
Additionally, smoking has been linked to an
Ovarian cancer often doesn’t cause many symptoms when it’s in its earliest stages. When it does cause symptoms, they may be nonspecific and resemble those of other medical conditions.
According to the
- abdominal bloating
- pain in your abdomen or pelvis
- feeling full quickly after eating
- frequent or urgent urination
Other potential ovarian cancer symptoms can include:
- fatigue
- back pain
- painful sex
- constipation
- upset stomach
- period changes, such as periods that are noticeably heavier or more irregular
- abdominal bloating that occurs with unintended weight loss
If you develop symptoms that are persistent, recurring, or severe, make an appointment with a doctor to discuss them. They can do tests to see what’s causing your symptoms.
The treatment of ovarian cancer can depend on many factors, including the stage of the ovarian cancer, how aggressive it is, and your age and overall health.
The factors that determine how a doctor will approach treatment remain the same, even for survivors of breast cancer. However, one’s health after breast cancer treatment may play a larger role in the determination.
Ovarian cancer that’s spread further at the time of diagnosis is often more challenging to treat.
Several types of treatment can be used for ovarian cancer. You’ll likely receive a combination of different treatment types.
Common treatments for ovarian cancer
Your doctor may also incorporate radiation therapy and immunotherapy into your treatment.
A 2020 study looked at the outcomes of individuals who had ovarian cancer after breast cancer and vice versa. In those who had ovarian cancer after breast cancer, the 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 91.5% and 81.7%, respectively.
The study also noted that 41.5% of people who had breast cancer first were diagnosed with ovarian cancer within 5 years of their breast cancer diagnosis. Ovarian cancer occurring a shorter time after breast cancer had a less favorable outlook.
A 2016 study assessed the ovarian cancer outlook for people with a BRCA variant and a history of breast cancer. It found that progression-free survival was significantly worse in these individuals. Overall survival was also slightly worse.
However, new targeted treatments called PARP inhibitors have improved survival rates for people with ovarian cancer and the BRCA variant.
If you have known changes in either BRCA gene, your doctor may recommend preventive surgery to reduce your risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Risk-reducing surgery for people with BRCA variants can include surgical removal of the breasts (mastectomy) for breast cancer prevention and removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes (salpingo-oophorectomy) for ovarian cancer prevention.
People who’ve received a diagnosis of breast cancer have a higher risk of ovarian cancer. The reason for this includes shared risk factors like genetics, obesity, and HRT.
Researchers have found that many, but not all, ovarian cancer diagnoses happen within 5 years of a breast cancer diagnosis. A shorter time between the two cancers is linked to a less favorable outlook.
Ovarian cancer treatment can depend on factors like its stage and how fast it’s growing. Outlook is best when it’s diagnosed and treated earlier, so don’t hesitate to see a doctor if you have concerning abdominal symptoms like persistent bloating or pain.