Up until the 1990s, there was no way to know if a woman was at a greatly increased risk of developing breast cancer. If she developed it, she was unlucky. If she had a family history of it, it was thought of as pure chance if she avoided it.
Then scientists discovered BRCA genes and found that they were associated with an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer and suddenly that left women with an entirely new dilemma. Should they wait and see what nature had in store, or should they take matters into their own hands and have treatment before they were even diagnosed?
Now medical science has taken it a step further and confirmed a link between female infertility and heightened risk of breast cancer. This makes perfect sense before you've read any of the science. After all, if a woman is to get breast cancer, how is she to feed her babies? Nature does not recognise formula and a baby without milk will die, so it seems like a clever defence mechanism to prevent this happening, in much the same way as a starving person will stop ovulating.
The Study
One hundred and twenty six women who had breast cancer applied to enter the study to see if they could preserve their fertility prior to undergoing cancer treatment. Of those 126 women, 82 met the criteria for inclusion in the study.
Forty seven had BRCA gene testing and of those, 14 tested positive for the BRCA gene. The ovarian response in the 14 women who had tested positive was significantly less than in those who did not have the gene mutation.
Those women who had a mutation known as BRCA1 also produced less eggs than those with the mutation BRCA2, those who tested negative for the gene and those who were untested.
They concluded:
"BRCA1 mutations are associated with occult primary ovarian insufficiency.This finding may, at least in part, explain the link between infertility and breast/ovarian cancer risks."
It is estimated that as many as one in every 1000 women carry the BRCA gene mutation, many without knowing it and this may account for a sizable percentage of women who suffer from poor ovarian function and infertility or low fertility issues.
Who is at Risk of Infertility Caused By Cancer?
The following groups are at risk for infertility caused by cancer:
- anyone with a family history of breast cancer
- anyone with unusual breast symptoms
- anyone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer
- anyone who has tested positive for the BRCA1 mutation
- childless women over the age of 30
How Can I Help Myself?
First, if you have any symptoms in your breast, see your doctor. If there is a history of breast cancer in your family, think about requesting a genetic test. This is controversial and some women may prefer not to know as a bad result will bring difficult choices for an otherwise healthy woman. If you are struggling with ovulation and infertility issues, a bad result may provide answers as to why, which could assit you and your fertility specialist.
If you are planning on putting off your family until you are in your 30's, think ago. Numerous research studies have shown that women who have not breast fed by the time they are in their 30's are at increased risk of breast cancer and advancing age also means declining egg quality and declining fertility.
Source:
Association of BRCA1 Mutations With Occult Primary Ovarian Insufficiency: A Possible Explanation for the Link Between Infertility and Breast/Ovarian Cancer Risks Kutluk Oktay, Ja Yeon Kim, David Barad, Samir N. Babayev JCO Jan 10 2010: 240-244.
Joanna Karpasea-Jones - I have been a health writer since 1997 when I published my own newsletter, SHOTS. I have written 2 books on childhood health, and write ...
