Breast cancer survivors face an increased risk of developing second cancers, according to a study involving nearly 600,000 patients in England. The research found that female breast cancer survivors were at double the risk of contralateral breast cancer and had elevated risks for endometrial cancer, myeloid leukemia, and ovarian cancer compared to the general population. Male breast cancer survivors exhibited a 55-fold higher risk of contralateral breast cancer and an increased risk of prostate cancer. Notably, survivors diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 50 had a significantly higher risk of developing a second cancer. Additionally, individuals from more deprived socioeconomic backgrounds faced a 35% greater risk of a second primary cancer, primarily driven by higher risks of non-breast cancers. This research highlights the need to understand the underlying mechanisms driving these disparities and to develop interventions to reduce the risk of second cancers in breast cancer survivors.
Breast Cancer Survivors at Higher Risk of Second Cancers
