Study Suggests Young Breast Cancer Survivors at Increased Risk of Second Primary Cancer
- GMA host Robin Roberts, 63, is a two-time cancer survivor having beat breast cancer and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare type of blood cancer. She was first diagnosed with cancer at 47, then years later diagnosed with cancer for a second time.
- Research published in Lancet Regional Health provides added evidence to the notion women diagnosed with breast cancer were at increased risk for getting a new – unrelated to the first diagnosis – type of cancer known as second primary cancer.
- Research published in the open-access journal Scientific Reports says the risk of second primary cancer in patients previously diagnosed with cancer is about 20%.
- “Females who survived breast cancer were at double the risk of contralateral breast cancer (second primary cancer unrelated to the original breast cancer) compared to the general population and at 87% greater risk of endometrial cancer, 58% greater risk of myeloid leukemia, and 25% risk of ovarian cancer,” the study says.
- The study also deduced women from low-income and economically deprived backgrounds were at 35% increased risk of getting a second primary cancer compared to wealthier women.
- SurvivorNet experts recommend cancer survivors exercise regularly, maintain a balanced diet, and manage their stress levels to lead healthy lives. Keeping up with regular checks also helps monitor your health for possible recurrence.
“Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts was 47 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer after discovering a lump in her breast while preparing for a news segment. Then, a few years later, she was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare type of blood cancer. The two-time cancer survivor is just one example of a woman who is diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 50 and finds themselves diagnosed with a second primary cancer afterward.
Women breast cancer survivors older than 50 were at a 17% increased risk of developing a second primary cancer.
The study also deduced women from low-income and economically deprived backgrounds were at 35% increased risk of getting a second primary cancer compared to wealthier women. Researchers attribute possible reasons for the disparity to the increased likelihood of smoking, obesity, and alcohol consumption among women who are socioeconomically deprived.
Additional research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis released a study in early 2024 that highlighted breast cancer rates increasing among younger women. It notes that among women ages 20 to 49, breast cancer incidence rates were “64 cases per 100,000 people.” The incidence rate continued to climb over the years.
“By 2016, the rate had reached about 66 cases per 100,000. But after 2016, for reasons researchers do not yet understand, the trend line made a steep uphill turn, suddenly increasing at 3.76% per year,” the study said.
Cases increased to “74 cases per 100,000” by 2019.
Helping You Live a Healthy Lifestyle
Understanding Second Primary Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, “Nearly one in five cancers diagnosed today occurs in an individual with a previous diagnosis of cancer.” When this occurs and the new cancer diagnosis is unrelated to the previous diagnosis, it is considered a second cancer.
Research published in the open-access journal Scientific Reports says the risk of second primary cancer in patients previously diagnosed with cancer is about 20%. The chance of second primary cancer increases to “approximately 30%” in cancer survivors 60 and older.
The researchers believe as the number of cancer survivors increases with more advanced and effective cancer treatments, “the occurrence of multiple primary cancers is also likely to rise.”
The most common second primary cancers include “nonmelanoma skin cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer.” A cancer survivor’s lifestyle and environmental factors may also factor into their second primary cancer risk.
WATCH: SurvivorNetTV’s showing of How Not to Get Cancer: Lifestyle is a deep dive into the measures we can take to control our health and possibly prevent a cancer diagnosis.
Living a Healthy Lifestyle
The general recommendations for a healthy lifestyle are similar whether you have cancer or not.
Dr. Ken Miller, the Director of Outpatient Oncology at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, shared some guidelines for cancer survivors who are concerned about a recurrence with SurvivorNet:
- Exercise at least two hours a week, and walking counts.
- Eat a low-fat diet.
- Eat a colorful diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. The American Cancer Society recommends aiming for two to three cups of vibrant vegetables and fruits each day.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that being obese can increase your risk for several types of cancer.
“The more physically fit you are going through your cancer treatment, the fewer side effects you’ll have and the faster you’ll get back to your normal quality of life,” Dr. Sairah Ahmed told SurvivorNet.
Dr. Ahmed is an associate professor in the Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Robin’s Cancer Journeys
In 2007, Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer. She first noticed a lump while preparing for a news segment about performing self-exams for your breasts. Self-exam includes pressing your fingertips along your breast in a circular motion.
WATCH: Getting to Know Your Breasts with Self-Exams.
In addition to battling breast cancer, Roberts also dealt with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), which is a rare type of blood cancer where abnormal cells form in the body’s bone marrow.
Currently, a stem cell transplant is the only curative treatment option for MDS, but not every patient is a candidate for these intense treatments.
WATCH: How patients with MDS have a chance with a bone marrow transplant.
“A bone marrow transplant is one of the more intense therapies for MDS, so you really want to be able to tolerate this therapy. That is why this therapy is reserved mostly for younger patients and [those] who do not have other medical conditions,” hematology oncologist Dr. Jun Choi explains.
While dealing with the disease, Roberts said “physical exams, blood and painful bone marrow tests and chemotherapy” became her “new normal,” according to ABC News.
Thankfully, Roberts’ sister Sally-Ann was a perfect match for a bone marrow transplant. Roberts underwent a successful bone marrow transplant procedure in September 2012.
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