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Gerri · 02-25-2009, 09:17 AM

Liz,

I saw this article recently suggesting that having had nonmelanoma skin cancer can lead to increased risk in other cancers. I have a history of basal cell, squamous cell AND melanoma. Even though this article deals with being dx'd with skin cancer prior to a subsequent cancer dx, I wouldn't be suprised if developing skin cancer after bc isn't somehow connected. Be vigilant in checking your skin for changes and make sure you are seen regularly by a dermatologist.

History Of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Is Associated With Increased Risk For Subsequent Malignancies

ScienceDaily (Aug. 28, 2008) — Individuals with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) are at increased risk for other cancers, according to a study published in the August 26 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Previous studies have documented that people who have had nonmelanoma skin cancer were at increased risk for developing melanoma, but it is less well-established whether they were also at risk for cancers that do not involve the skin.
In the current study, Anthony Alberg, Ph.D., of the Medical University of South Carolina and colleagues analyzed data from a prospective cohort study called CLUE II, which was established in Washington County, Md., in 1989. Alberg's team compared the risk of malignancies in 769 individuals who had been diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancer and 18,405 individuals with no history of the disease during a 16-year follow-up period.
The overall incidence of cancers was 293.5 cases per 10,000 person-years in the participants with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer and 77.8 per 10,000 in those individuals without a history of skin cancer. After adjusting for other known variables associated with cancer risk, including age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, and education level, the researchers found that individuals with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer had a two-fold increase in the risk of subsequent cancers compared with individuals with no skin cancer history.
The increased risk remained statistically significant when the researchers removed melanoma from the list of subsequent cancers, indicating that the elevated risk was not restricted to melanoma. The association was observed for both types of nonmelanoma skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.
The strongest association between a history of skin cancer and subsequent malignancies was seen in the youngest study participants, aged 25 to 44 years. "This pattern of associations, with earlier age of [nonmelanoma skin cancer] diagnosis being linked more strongly to the risk of developing subsequent malignancies, is consistent with the pattern that one would expect for a marker of inherited predisposition to cancer," the authors write.

Journal reference:

Chen J, Ruczinski I, Jorgensen TJ, Yenokyan G, Yao Y, Alani R, Liégeois NJ, et al. Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer and Risk for Subsequent Malignancy. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2008; 1215-1222 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djn260

Adapted from materials provided by Journal of the National Cancer Institute, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
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Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2008, August 28). History Of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Is Associated With Increased Risk For Subsequent Malignancies. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 25, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/08/080826190852.htm

02-25-2009, 09:17 AM	#2
Gerri Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 900	Liz, I saw this article recently suggesting that having had nonmelanoma skin cancer can lead to increased risk in other cancers. I have a history of basal cell, squamous cell AND melanoma. Even though this article deals with being dx'd with skin cancer prior to a subsequent cancer dx, I wouldn't be suprised if developing skin cancer after bc isn't somehow connected. Be vigilant in checking your skin for changes and make sure you are seen regularly by a dermatologist. History Of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Is Associated With Increased Risk For Subsequent Malignancies ScienceDaily (Aug. 28, 2008) — Individuals with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) are at increased risk for other cancers, according to a study published in the August 26 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Previous studies have documented that people who have had nonmelanoma skin cancer were at increased risk for developing melanoma, but it is less well-established whether they were also at risk for cancers that do not involve the skin. In the current study, Anthony Alberg, Ph.D., of the Medical University of South Carolina and colleagues analyzed data from a prospective cohort study called CLUE II, which was established in Washington County, Md., in 1989. Alberg's team compared the risk of malignancies in 769 individuals who had been diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancer and 18,405 individuals with no history of the disease during a 16-year follow-up period. The overall incidence of cancers was 293.5 cases per 10,000 person-years in the participants with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer and 77.8 per 10,000 in those individuals without a history of skin cancer. After adjusting for other known variables associated with cancer risk, including age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, and education level, the researchers found that individuals with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer had a two-fold increase in the risk of subsequent cancers compared with individuals with no skin cancer history. The increased risk remained statistically significant when the researchers removed melanoma from the list of subsequent cancers, indicating that the elevated risk was not restricted to melanoma. The association was observed for both types of nonmelanoma skin cancer, basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. The strongest association between a history of skin cancer and subsequent malignancies was seen in the youngest study participants, aged 25 to 44 years. "This pattern of associations, with earlier age of [nonmelanoma skin cancer] diagnosis being linked more strongly to the risk of developing subsequent malignancies, is consistent with the pattern that one would expect for a marker of inherited predisposition to cancer," the authors write. Journal reference: Chen J, Ruczinski I, Jorgensen TJ, Yenokyan G, Yao Y, Alani R, Liégeois NJ, et al. Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer and Risk for Subsequent Malignancy. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2008; 1215-1222 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djn260 Adapted from materials provided by Journal of the National Cancer Institute, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS. Email or share this story: Need to cite this story in your essay, paper, or report? Use one of the following formats: APA MLA Journal of the National Cancer Institute (2008, August 28). History Of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Is Associated With Increased Risk For Subsequent Malignancies. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 25, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2008/08/080826190852.htm __________________ Gerri Dx: 11/23/05, Lumpectomy 12/12/05 Tumor 2.2 cm, Stage II, Grade 3, Sentinel Node biopsy negative ER+ (30%) /PR+ (50%), HER2+++ AC X 4 dose dense, Taxol X 4 dose dense Herceptin started with 2nd Taxol, given weekly until chemo done then given every 3 weeks for one year ending on March 16, 2007 Radiation 30 treatments Tamoxifen - 2 yrs (pre-menopausal) May 2008 - Feb 2012 Femara Aug 2008 - Feb 2012 Zometa every 6 months March 2012 - Stop Femara, now Evista for bone strengthening ********** Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Robert Brault