Predictors of Contralateral Breast Cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Carriers
Author Information
Author(s): Metcalfe K, Gershman S, Lynch H T, Ghadirian P, Tung N, Kim-Sing C, Olopade O I, Domchek S, McLennan J, Eisen A, Foulkes W D, Rosen B, Sun P, Narod S A
Primary Institution: University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hypothesis
What factors predict the risk of contralateral breast cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers?
Conclusion
The risk of contralateral breast cancer in BRCA mutation carriers declines with the age of diagnosis and increases with the number of first-degree relatives affected with breast cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- 149 subjects (18.4%) developed contralateral breast cancer.
- The 15-year actuarial risk of contralateral breast cancer was 36.1% for BRCA1 and 28.5% for BRCA2 mutation carriers.
- Women younger than 50 years had a significantly higher risk of contralateral breast cancer.
- Oophorectomy reduced the risk of contralateral breast cancer.
Takeaway
Women with certain gene mutations have a higher chance of getting breast cancer in the other breast, especially if they are younger and have family members who also had breast cancer.
Methodology
The study followed 810 women with stage I or II breast cancer and identified factors influencing the risk of contralateral breast cancer.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the exclusion of women who had previous cancer diagnoses.
Limitations
The study may have selection bias as it included only women from families with known BRCA mutations.
Participant Demographics
Women diagnosed with stage I or II breast cancer, aged 65 or younger, from families with BRCA mutations.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.003
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.30–0.76
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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