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“Why Did I Get Breast Cancer?” We Might Know…

By Joseph L. Lohmuller, MD, MS, FACS
Breast Surgeon, Kenneth H. McKay, MD Center for Breast Health
Staff Surgeon, Davenport Surgical Group, PC
Adjunct Clinical Professor of Surgery, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

I recently saw a patient at the Kenneth H McKay, MD Center for Breast Health who had developed a mass in her breast.  This patient, who was only 41 years old, underwent a biopsy by the staff radiologist with an ultrasound and unfortunately was found to have breast cancer.

During her evaluation the team reviewed her health history in detail including a family history which demonstrated that her mother had ovarian cancer, her mother’s sister had breast cancer, and her maternal grandmother had breast cancer.  This patient qualified for genetic evaluation of a possible inherited breast cancer syndrome based on her strong family history of breast cancer and having breast cancer herself below the age of 45.

More and more breast specialists understand the genetic influence of specific gene mutations on an individual’s risk for breast cancer. In this situation the patient underwent genetic testing and was found to have a BRCA 1 gene mutation which was considered “deleterious.” We know that such individuals have a risk between 60 and 87 percent of developing breast cancer by the time they are 70 years old. The chance for developing a second breast cancer is 25 percent within 5 years of developing the first. Risks of ovarian cancer, pancreas cancer, and, in men with the gene mutation – prostate cancer, are all elevated.

This patient inherited the tendency for breast cancer and developed it.

Such knowledge allows us to more carefully plan an effective treatment method for patients with genetic abnormalities to not only cure the disease they have developed but also prevent additional cancers. Fortunately, genetic counseling such as that provided at the Kenneth H McKay, M.D. Center for Breast Health in the Quad City region can assist patients and their families with these decisions.

This young patient underwent removal of both breasts to not only cure her cancer but also prevent a second cancer along with breast reconstruction.  Her gynecologist proceeded to remove both ovaries to minimize her chance of ever developing an ovarian cancer.  She has done extremely well.

David J. Aaenstad, MD, FACS is a physician at Davenport Surgical Group PC. For more information call (563) 823-9300.