Population prevalence of first- and second-degree family history of breast and ovarian cancer.

2011

Moghimi-Dehkordi B, Safaee A, Vahedi M, Pourhoseingholi MA, Pourhoseingholi A, Zali MR.

Source

Research Center of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Family cancer history is an important risk factor for common cancers, thus, recognizing pattern of familial cancer can help us to identify individuals who may have higher chance to develop specified cancers.

METHODS:

This cross-sectional survey assessed family history of cancer in first- and second degree relatives. Totally, 7,300 persons aged > or = 20 years selected by random sampling from Tehran general population. Age- and sex-specified prevalence of breast and ovarian cancer in respondent's family was calculated.

RESULTS:

Of all, 279(4.3%) individuals reported a history of breast or ovarian cancer in their relatives. The prevalence of breast cancer family history was 1.8% among first-degree relatives and 2.5% among second- degree relatives. For ovarian cancer, first- and second-degree prevalence ranged from 0.05 to 0.12%. Those with family history of cancer were more often young and female.

CONCLUSIONS:

Overall, the estimates of prevalence presented here are likely to be conservative compared with actual current prevalence because of some limitations. While family history is an important risk factor for common cancers such as breast cancer, recognizing pattern of familial cancer that signify increased risk can help us to identify individuals who may have higher chance to develop specified cancers.

PubMed

Influence of a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer on breast cancer outcomes.

Sept 2011

Cao AY, He M, DI GH, Wu J, Lu JS, Liu GY, Shen ZZ, Shao ZM.

Source

Breast Cancer Institute, Cancer Hospital/Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Institutes of Biomedical Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China.

Abstract

Various published studies have been inconclusive in attempting to relate a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer(BOC) to the survival of breast cancer patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the association of a family history of BOC with tumor characteristics, treatment response and the difference between the prognosis of familial breast cancer (FBC) patients and sporadic breast cancer (SBC) patients. Data on 348 operable FBC patients and 345 SBC patients were retrospectively analyzed. The overall survival (OS) and recurrence/metastasis-free survival (RFS) were compared for both groups. FBC cases were diagnosed at a relatively younger age (51.1±10.4 vs. 53.7±11.0 years, P=0.054) and presented a lower T stage (P=0.000) than the SBC cases. Patients with a family history of BOC had a significantly greater risk of recurrence/metastasis (P= 0.04) and a non-significantly increased risk of death (P=0.06) compared to the SBC patients. In a multivariate analysis, family history of BOC was an independent predictive factor for both recurrence/metastasis rate (P=0.01, HR=0.012, 95% CI 0.02-0.57) and mortality (P=0.044, HR=0.43, 95% CI 0.19-0.98) in the hormone receptor-positive population. Our results found that women diagnosed with FBC had an early onset of disease in the population studied, and the poor outcome of patients with a family history of BOC associated with survival was restricted to the hormone receptor-positive population.

PubMed

Annette Mattern: What Every Woman Should Know About Ovarian Cancer

Annette Mattern: What Every Woman Should Know About Ovarian Cancer

Annette Mattern: What Every Woman Should Know About Ovarian Cancer

“How do I know if I have ovarian cancer?” the question most asked by women about the disease that, for years, was called the silent killer. Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among U.S. women and yet, most women know very little about it.

What you should know:

1. Every woman is at risk.

2. One is 72 women will develop ovarian cancer; one in 95 women will die from it.

3. Increased risk factors:
• Personal history of breast cancer
• Family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
• BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, responsible for 5-10% of ovarian cancers. Women of Ashkenazi Jewish descent are at higher risk of carrying these mutations.

4. There is no screening tool, not even the PAP, so it is critical that women recognize the symptoms as early as possible.

• Stage I recurrence rate is only 10%.
• Stage III or IV (about 75% of cases) recur 85-95% of the time. Their 5-year survival rate is only 46%.

5. 95% of women with ovarian cancer experience symptoms, 90% at early stage. Symptoms:
• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating or feeling full too quickly
• Urinary urgency or frequency

Other symptoms: fatigue, indigestion, back pain, pain with intercourse, constipation and menstrual irregularities.

What you should do:

If you exhibit persistent symptoms for more than a few weeks and this is not normal for your body, see a gynecologist. Your exam may include a CA-125 blood test, pelvic exam, and a trans-vaginal ultrasound. The only conclusive way to determine if it is cancer is by performing a biopsy.

Help spread the word.

Most women with ovarian cancer were misdiagnosed for years while their cancer spread. An earlier diagnosis is a woman’s best hope for a good prognosis.

Bio notes:

Annette Mattern is a 21-year survivor of ovarian cancer and recently survived breast cancer. She is the founder and president of the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Arizona and serves on the board of directors of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. Her book on survival, Outside The Lines of Love, Life, and Cancer, is available on www.amazon.com.

Links: www.ocaz.org
www.ovariancancer.org