Can I Lower My Risk Of Getting A Second Cancer
There’s no sure way to prevent all cancers, but there are steps you can take to lower your risk and stay as healthy as possible. Getting the recommended early detection tests, as mentioned above, is one way to do this.
Its also important to stay away from tobacco products. Smoking increases the risk of many cancers, including some of the second cancers seen after breast cancer.
To help maintain good health, breast cancer survivors should also:
How Does Psychological Stress Affect People Who Have Cancer
People who have cancer may find the physical, emotional, and social effects of the disease to be stressful. Those who attempt to manage their stress with risky behaviors such as smoking or drinking alcohol or who become more sedentary may have a poorer quality of life after cancer treatment. In contrast, people who are able to use effective coping strategies to deal with stress, such as relaxation and stress management techniques, have been shown to have lower levels of depression, anxiety, and symptoms related to the cancer and its treatment. However, there is no evidence that successful management of psychological stress improves cancer survival.
Evidence from experimental studies does suggest that psychological stress can affect a tumors ability to grow and spread. For example, some studies have shown that when mice bearing human tumors were kept confined or isolated from other miceconditions that increase stresstheir tumors were more likely to grow and spread . In one set of experiments, tumors transplanted into the mammary fat pads of mice had much higher rates of spread to the lungs and lymph nodes if the mice were chronically stressed than if the mice were not stressed. Studies in mice and in human cancer cells grown in the laboratory have found that the stress hormone norepinephrine, part of the bodys fight-or-flight response system, may promote angiogenesis and metastasis.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment
When cancer has spread to other parts of the body, oncologists usually recommend systemic treatment, which can destroy abnormal cells in multiple locations. Depending on the specifics of a patients diagnosis, surgery may or may not be recommended.
Moffitt Cancer Center provides a complete range of breast cancer treatments through the Don & Erika Wallace Comprehensive Breast Program. This includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, as well as immunotherapy, hormone therapy and supportive care. Patients with metastatic breast cancer may also consider enrolling in a clinical trial at Moffitt to expand their options even further.
If youd like to request an appointment, call or submit a new patient registration form online. Referrals are welcome, but never required.
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Can Lung Cancer Spread To The Breasts
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Why Is It Important To Get A Recommended Biopsy
A biopsy is often the best way to definitively say whether or not you have cancer. Other tools, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging , can tell the doctor if an area looks suspicious. But in most cases, the only way to make a definitive cancer diagnosis is to perform a biopsy and look at those suspicious cells under a microscope. Many biopsies are performed with imaging guidance, called image-guided biopsies, where tools like ultrasound or computed tomography scans are used to help locate areas of concern and obtain biopsy material.
Sometimes, a biopsy reveals that the suspicious area contains only benign, or non-cancerous, cells. This might mean you do not need treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. Other times, a biopsy can tell the doctor how aggressive a cancer appears to be and what the extent of the disease may be. This refers to a cancers stage and grade. A biopsy can also explain what type of cancer cells are inside the tumor. All of this information helps determine the best course of action for treating the cancer.
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Johns Hopkins Researchers Discover How Breast Cancer Spreads To Lung
The spread of breast cancer is responsible for more than 90 percent of breast cancer deaths. Now, the process by which it spreads — or metastasizes — has been unraveled by researchers at Johns Hopkins.
Reporting in two papers, the researchers have discovered the switch that enables breast cancer cells to travel to and be received in the lungs.
The results appear in two separate papers, one in the September 12 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science Early Edition and the other in the August 22 issue of Oncogene.
“Metastasis transforms breast cancer from a local, curable disease, to one that is systemic and lethal,” says Gregg L. Semenza, M.D., Ph.D., the C. Michael Armstrong Professor of Medicine, director of the Vascular Program in the Institute for Cell Engineering and a member of the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins. “Metastasis was long thought a late event in cancer progression, but we have now shown metastasis to be an early event that is dependent on HIF-1”
Discovered by Semenza’s team nearly 20 years ago, the HIF-1 protein controls genes that enable cells to survive in low oxygen, like cells in solid tumors. More recently, others have found that in patients with breast cancer, an increase in HIF-1 activity correlates with increase in metastasis and decreased survival.
Semenza’s team used breast cancer cells grown in low oxygen to examine the activity of 88 genes known to play a role in metastasis.
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Second Cancers After Bladder Cancer
Cancer survivors can be affected by a number of health problems, but often a major concern is facing cancer again. If a cancer comes back after treatment it’s called a recurrence. But some cancer survivors may develop a new, unrelated cancer later. This is called a second cancer.
Being treated for bladder cancer doesnt mean you cant get another cancer. Survivors of bladder cancer can get any type of second cancer, but they have an increased risk these cancers compared to the general population:
- A second bladder cancer
- Cancer of the renal pelvis/ureter
Many of these cancers have been clearly linked to smoking, which is also a major risk factor for bladder cancer. Talk to your doctor if you need help to quit smoking.
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What Are The Top Risk Factors For Lung Cancer
Causes of lung cancer include:
- smoking cigarette and tobacco
- other diseases such as tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- indoor and outdoor air pollution
- gene changes that can alter lung cells and cause cancer
Not everyone with one of these causes will develop lung cancer. Some people with one or more risk factors may never develop cancer, too. On the other hand, people with no known risk factors may be diagnosed with lung cancer.
In 2021, the American Cancer Society estimated that there were:
- over 235,000 new cases of lung cancer
- close to 132,000 deaths from lung cancer
Is There Any Link Between Breast Cancer And Lung Cancer
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
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When Metastatic Cancer Can No Longer Be Controlled
If you have been told your cancer can no longer be controlled, you and your loved ones may want to discuss end-of-life care. Whether or not you choose to continue treatment to shrink the cancer or control its growth, you can always receive palliative care to control the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of treatment. Information on coping with and planning for end-of-life care is available in the Advanced Cancer section of this site.
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Metastatic Lung Cancer Outlook
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Thereâs no way to prevent lung cancer, but there are ways to treat it. And thereâs reason to be hopeful: Doctors are working on new treatments every day. Immunotherapy, which boosts your bodyâs own cancer-fighting powers, has shown promise in recent years.
Your outlook for living with metastatic lung cancer depends in part on where the cancer started. Itâs rare, but people with sarcoma, renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, colon cancer, or melanoma can sometimes be cured with surgery. And chemotherapy may cure some people with cancer that started in the testicles or lymph nodes.
Most people with this type of cancer can expect to live about 5 years. But that doesnt take into account newer treatments, like immunotherapy, which boosts your bodyâs own cancer-fighting powers. And it also doesnât reflect that everyone is different. How well you respond to treatment depends on what treatment you and your doctor chose, your overall health when you were diagnosed, how soon you were diagnosed, and how far the cancer has spread.
Living with lung cancer takes a toll on your mental health, not just your physical health. So itâs key to take steps to manage your stress and anxiety.
Joining a cancer support group or talking privately with a therapist are booth good ways to deal with your feelings. Ask your doctor to suggest options that may be right for you.
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About Metastatic Breast Cancer
Cancer begins when healthy cells change and grow out of control, forming a mass or sheet of cells called a tumor. A tumor can be cancerous or benign. A cancerous tumor is malignant, meaning it can grow and spread to other parts of the body. A benign tumor means the tumor can grow but will not spread.When breast cancer is limited to the breast and/or nearby lymph node regions, it is called early stage or locally advanced. Read about these stages in a different guide on Cancer.Net. When breast cancer spreads to an area farther from where it started to another part of the body, doctors say that the cancer has metastasized. They call the area of spread a metastasis, or use the plural of metastases if the cancer has spread to more than 1 area. The disease is called metastatic breast cancer. Another name for metastatic breast cancer is “stage IV breast cancer if it has already spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis of the original cancer.
Doctors may also call metastatic breast cancer advanced breast cancer. However, this term should not be confused with locally advanced breast cancer, which is breast cancer that has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes but not to other parts of the body.
Most Common Places It Spreads
It’s still breast cancer, even if it’s in another organ. For example, if breast cancer spreads to your lungs, that doesn’t mean you have lung cancer. Although it can spread to any part of your body, there are certain places it’s most likely to go to, including the lymph nodes, bones, liver, lungs, and brain.
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Metastatic Breast Cancer Symptoms And Diagnosis
The symptoms of metastatic breast cancer can vary greatly depending on the location of the cancer. This section covers the symptoms of breast cancer that has spread to the bone, lung, brain, and liver, and the tests used to diagnose metastatic breast cancer.
Bone Metastasis: Symptoms and DiagnosisThe most common symptom of breast cancer that has spread to the bone is a sudden, noticeable new pain. Breast cancer can spread to any bone, but most often spreads to the ribs, spine, pelvis, or the long bones in the arms and legs. Learn more.
Lung Metastasis: Symptoms and DiagnosisWhen breast cancer moves into the lung, it often doesnt cause symptoms. If a lung metastasis does cause symptoms, they may include pain or discomfort in the lung, shortness of breath, persistent cough, and others. Learn more.
Brain Metastasis: Symptoms and DiagnosisSymptoms of breast cancer that has spread to the brain can include headache, changes in speech or vision, memory problems, and others. Learn more.
Liver Metastasis: Symptoms and DiagnosisWhen breast cancer spreads to the liver, it often doesnt cause symptoms. If a liver metastasis does cause symptoms, they can include pain or discomfort in the mid-section, fatigue and weakness, weight loss or poor appetite, fever, and others. Learn more.
Newly Diagnosed Or Worried About A Symptom
In the days or weeks after a diagnosis of secondary breast cancer, you may feel distressed and find it hard to think clearly.
You can read our information for people newly diagnosed with secondary breast cancer, including where to find support.
If you havent been diagnosed but are worried about a symptom, find out more about the signs and symptoms of secondary breast cancer.
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How Does The Body Respond During Stress
The body responds to physical, mental, or emotional pressure by releasing stress hormones that increase blood pressure, speed heart rate, and raise blood sugar levels. These changes help a person act with greater strength and speed to escape a perceived threat.
Research has shown that people who experience intense and long-term stress can have digestive problems, fertility problems, urinary problems, and a weakened immune system. People who experience chronic stress are also more prone to viral infections such as the flu or common cold and to have headaches, sleep trouble, depression, and anxiety.
Estrogen Receptor Progesterone Receptor And Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor
The expression of the ER, PR and HER-2 genes in breast cancer is related to the prognosis and therapeutic strategies of the patients. Patients with negative ER, PR or HER-2 expression usually have a worse prognosis than patients with positive ER, PR or HER-2 expression. On the other hand, patients with positive ER or PR and HER-2 genes are candidates for endocrine and anti-HER-2 targeted therapies, respectively. In the study by Liu et al,10 79.8% , 69.5% and 15.9% of patients had positive ER, PR and HER-2 gene expression. The incidence of subsequent lung cancer was 1.29%, 1.24% and 0.17% in patients with positive ER, PR and HER-2, respectively, and the incidence of lung cancer was 1.39%, 1.44% and 0.23% in patients with negative ER, PR and HER-2, respectively. After further calculation, we found that the expression status of ER and PR was significantly related to the risk of subsequent lung cancer after breast cancer . Specifically, patients with negative ER or PR were more likely to develop lung cancer than patients with positive ER or PR. Nevertheless, there was no significant association between the expression of the HER-2 gene and second primary lung cancer .
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Metastatic Lung Cancer Treatment
Depending on where a secondary tumor develops, oncologists may suggest different types of treatment. Surgery may not be recommended if the cancer has spread extensively throughout the body, although it can sometimes be an option for local lung cancer metastases. Distant metastases are more likely to be treated with radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Clinical trials may also be an option.
At Moffitt Cancer Center, we have extensive experience in treating metastatic lung cancer. We offer our patients a wide range of treatment options, with recommendations tailored to each patients unique needs. When treating metastatic lung cancer, our oncologists take into consideration the size and location of the secondary tumor, as well as the cellular makeup of the primary tumor, to determine the best approach to treatment.
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Bob Creelan.
For more information about metastatic lung cancer treatment at Moffitt, call or submit a new patient registration form online to request an appointment. Youre welcome to obtain a physicians referral, or you can contact us directly without one if its easier for you.
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Cancers Linked To Radiation Treatment
Lung cancer: The risk of lung cancer is higher in women who had radiation therapy after a mastectomy as part of their treatment. The risk is even higher in women who smoke. The risk does not seem to be increased in women who have radiation therapy to the breast after a lumpectomy.
Sarcoma: Radiation therapy to the breast also increases the risk of sarcomas of blood vessels , bone , and other connective tissues in areas that were treated. Overall, this risk is low.
Certain blood cancers: Breast radiation is linked to a higher risk of leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome . Overall, though, this risk is low.
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Cumulative Incidence Of Lc
The cumulative incidence of LC is visualized in Fig. a. Women with follow-up of longer than five years were also stratified by histological type of LC, and the distribution of different histological subtypes was similar for women with BC and women without BC . An increased cumulative incidence of LC in women with BC receiving RT was evident at ten-year follow-up. The LC incidence continued to increase throughout the follow-up time, showing cumulative rates of 3.0%, 2.3%, and 2.0%, for women with BC receiving RT, women with BC not receiving RT, and women without BC diagnosis, respectively, at 20-year follow-up. The LC incidence was separately analyzed for women < 50 years of age and those 50 years of age. The results were similar in both groups although the number of cases was low in the younger age group .
Fig. 1: Cumulative incidence of lung cancer.
Cumulative incidence of lung cancer for women without breast cancer diagnosis, women with BC not receiving radiotherapy , and women with BC receiving RT . The distribution of the different LC histological subtypes for women with follow-up of longer than five years is displayed in for women with BC, and in for women without BC diagnosis. Number .