Breast Cancer and Other Cancers

Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Testing

Pioneer in Embryo Genetic Testing and Gender Selection

- Cancer of the Breast -

Breast Cancer and Other Cancers

A frequently asked question is if somebody, having one cancer, has an increased danger of developing another cancer inflicting different organs. More specifically, do women who develop cancer of the breast have higher risk of having cancer of the pancreas, ovary, uterus, or any other organ? The final answer to that is not available at this time, but several international centers are investigating these problems.

Recently, researchers from this country reported that women who develop cancer of the breast are 5% less likely to develop cancer of the colon and 13% less likely to develop cancer of the rectum when compared to women in the general population not affected by cancer of the breast. It is one of the first reports in a possible association or lack of it in various cancers.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is available to determine a single gene abnormality in the chromosome. The scope of these determinations is limited as of now, but hopefully, over a period of time, the procedure will be able to screen for more and more abnormalities which are genetically based.

However, even with its limited applications, Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) represents a major breakthrough for inherited genetic conditions. Through Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) combined with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) we can in some instances stop the transfer of a genetic condition from generation to generation for good. PGD can offer a parent affected by or carrier of a genetic condition, a healthy normal child without the genetic problem. However, PGD will not guarantee that this child will not develop various other diseases as anybody else in its generation.

For comparison, we can look at cancer of the breast. Those without the genetic background and genetic line have a danger of developing breast cancer at the overall rate of 2% to 10% depending on age. On the other hand, those with a definite genetic line face a higher danger, up to 70%, of developing cancer of the breast. In other words, even a daughter who does not inherit the genetic markers BRCA1 and BRCA2 which are linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer still faces a risk of developing the disease. But what a difference 2% compared to 70%.

The Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis can find the gender of the embryo prior to implantation inside the uterus. If such an examination is done and only male embryos are transferred, the rate of transferring the high incidence of familial breast cancer is brought to practically zero. Thus, the procedure is definitely worth considering and doing it. Recent study published in Lancet in March 2001 showed that people who have genetic changes putting them in a higher category of risk of developing cancer of the breast, actually have significantly lesser incidence of cancer of the colon and rectum compared to the general population.

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