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02-25-2009, 08:29 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 141
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Skin basal cell carcinoma and breast cancer?
Does anyone know if there is a possible link between breast cancer and basal cell carcinoma?
Since having breast cancer, I have been diagnosed with 2 basal cell carcinomas in less than a years time. Unfortunately, I am a former sun worshiper (have never gone into tanning booths) and am relatively fair/light skinned with blue/green eyes. My dermatologist and Mohl's skin surgeon tell me that there is absolutely no connection but it still makes me wonder.
Does anyone know?
Thank you,
Liz
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02-25-2009, 09:17 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 900
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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, LiƩgeois 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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Need to cite this story in your essay, paper, or report? Use one of the following formats: APA
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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
__________________
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
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02-25-2009, 11:20 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 7
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In the year after treatment I had several basal and squamish cell skin cancers.
I don't know why but I know it is related and does ease up.
I just put it in perspective - it wasn't life threatening!
Janice
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02-25-2009, 01:43 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: me & my three HANDSOME grandsons!!Jacksonville, Arkansas
Posts: 354
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This is all very interesting.... I have a consult with a dermatologist next month. I had a little mole pop up and turn black during my radiation. It is right there in the radiated field on my chest. hmmm.
__________________
Terri B.
46 yrs. young
Dx IDC 3/6/08
1.5 cm & .6 cm grade III, Stage IIA
es/pr- Her2+++, 9/9 richardson
Double Mast w/expanders 4-14-08
3/9 nodes positive.
additional excision rt breast 4-25-08
weekly T/H x 12 (6-2-08) Done!
FEC x4 (9-8-08) Last one 11-10-08!
Herceptin complete 8/10/09!!
33 RADS DONE 2/13/09!
rt. breast biopsy 3/20/09 .. B9!!
reconstruction complete!
DEEEEEEported on 5/19/10!!
almost 5 YEARS NED!!
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02-25-2009, 06:11 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 240
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I was dx'd with basal cell skin cancer about 10 years ago........a very tiny black spot in my upper chest - so small I thought it was a blackhead, but it grew very quickly. I've always felt destined to get another kind of cancer - my dad died from brain cancer at the age of 60 (astrocytoma) - his mother died from breast cancer in her late 70's - so I really believe there's definitely something inherited involved.
__________________
xxoo
Kathy
2/5/08 - dx age 53, post-menopausal;
IDC Stage 1, Grade 1
ER+ 90% /PR+ 90% /Her2++++, BRAC1 & 2 neg
3/5/08 - mast with muscle-sparing free tram;
0/7 nodes clear; Stage 1 lymphedema in right arm
3/11/08 - MRSA infection in abdomen causes large hernia
4/11/08 - Oncotype DX score 22 (intermediate)
4/12/08 - Muga score 67%
4/23/08 - Chemo, Navelbine and Herceptin every 2 weeks
8/20/08 - Last Navelbine infusion! Yay!
1/22/09 - First mammo since dx - unaffected breast CLEAR!
1/30/09 - Second Muga score 63%
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02-25-2009, 06:39 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 141
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Gerri-
very interesting article. It makes alot of sense. Thank you for posting it.
Janice-
I hope your right and it eases up :+) Thank you for sharing your experience. Right now, I'm just paranoid about everything. I know that I'll ease up in time. What scares me is that my basal cells looked nothing like the pictures you see on the internet or in books and my doctors thought it was a big nothing and they told me that I have nothing to worry about but the biopsies came back positive. But that has been my pattern.
Terri-
If it makes a difference, I have several new small dark moles form in the area I was radiated on. They were very dark and sort of scare me but they don't seem to be changing which is a good thing. I hope your's are the same but definitely follow up with a determatologist just to be sure.
Kathy-
I'm sorry about your dad and grandmother. I too believe that most if not all cancers have some type of link and that stinks. You said that your basal cell grew very quickly and that makes alot of sense since I have been told to pay attention to changes.
Wishing all of you the very best,
Liz
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02-25-2009, 06:47 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Hershey, PA. Live The Sweet Life!
Posts: 2,005
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This was very interesting. Thank you all for sharing. Scary, but good to know. Now I have to go get naked with a mirror and check my moles! Do you know how tough that is to do these days? Ughh!!! This chemo weight!
__________________
Smile On!
Laurel
Dx'd w/multifocal DCIS/IDS 3/08
7mm invasive component
Partial mast. 5/08
Stage 1b, ER 80%, PR 90%, HER-2 6.9 on FISH
0/5 nodes
4 AC, 4 TH finished 9/08
Herceptin every 3 weeks. Finished 7/09
Tamoxifen 10/08. Switched to Femara 8/09
Bilat SPM w/reconstruction 10/08
Clinical Trial w/Clondronate 12/08
Stopped Clondronate--too hard on my gizzard!
Switched back to Tamoxifen due to tendon pain from Femara
15 Years NED
I think I just might hang around awhile....
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02-26-2009, 08:42 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Franklin, MA
Posts: 131
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I had 2 basal cell spots removed on my face prior to my breast cancer diagnosis. I find it interesting that when filling out all the paperwork at different doctors, they ask if you've ever been diagnosed with any other type of cancer...and next to that question, it says not to count basal cell and squamus cell carcinoma. The article posted here would suggest that doctors having that info would be relevant!
__________________
Diagnosed 10-03-2005 (34 wks pregnant, 38 yrs old)
Lumpectomy Nov-2005. 10/18 Lymph Nodes impacted
Mets to liver, spine & femurs (thus being stage IV right from the get-go)
ER-, PR-, HER2+
Taxol/Herceptin/Zometa started Dec-2005. 11 cycles of Taxol.
Sept-2006: PET/CT scan of mets to liver, spine and femurs - Stable. Activity in R breast & mediastinum (not seen in prior scans).
Navelbine (3 wks on/1 wk off) as of Oct--2006 & continued Herceptin (every 3 wks) & Zometa (every 6 wks)
Jan-2007: PET/CT Scan - Stable. Continued Nav. through March-2007, then Herc./Zom. only after that.
June-2007: PET/CT Scan - activity in mediastinum. Back on Navelbine as of July-2007.
Scanned Quarterly since Oct-2007 - a few small scares, but otherwise stable due to continuing weekly Navelbine, Herceptin and Quarterly Zometa.
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02-26-2009, 09:41 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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I had one basel cell mole removed from a place where the sun don't shine about 6 years before BC.
__________________
Rhonda (Sassy)
dx age 45
DX 2/15/05 Stage IIb (at surgery)restaged IIIa
Left mast .9cm tumor 5 of 14 nodes
Triple Positive
4 DD A/C
12 Taxol/Herceptin
33Rads
Strange infect mast site one year aft surg, hosp 1 wk
Herceptin for total of 18 months
Lupron Monthly 4 yrs
Neurontin for aches, pains and hot flashes(It works!)
Ovaries removed 11/09 stop Lupron and Neurontin
Arimidex 6 yrs (tried Femara, no SE improvement)
Tried Exemestane-hips got so bad could hardly walk
Back to Arimidex for year seven
Zometa 2X Annual for 7years, Lasix
Stop Arimidex 5/13
Stop Zometa 7/13-Bi-lateral Stress Fractures in Femurs from Zometa
5/14 Start Tamoxifen
3/15 Stem cell transplant to stimulate femur bone growth/healing
5/15 Complete fracture of right femur/Titanium rods both femurs
9/16 Start Evista stopTamoxifen
3/17 Stop Evista--unwelcome side effects!
NED and no meds.......
14 YEARS NED!
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02-27-2009, 04:36 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NY
Posts: 240
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Good point Colleen! I thought it strange too that they didn't want you to say anything on all those forms about non-malignant skin cancers........common sense would say it matters - and now we have a study proving it does!
__________________
xxoo
Kathy
2/5/08 - dx age 53, post-menopausal;
IDC Stage 1, Grade 1
ER+ 90% /PR+ 90% /Her2++++, BRAC1 & 2 neg
3/5/08 - mast with muscle-sparing free tram;
0/7 nodes clear; Stage 1 lymphedema in right arm
3/11/08 - MRSA infection in abdomen causes large hernia
4/11/08 - Oncotype DX score 22 (intermediate)
4/12/08 - Muga score 67%
4/23/08 - Chemo, Navelbine and Herceptin every 2 weeks
8/20/08 - Last Navelbine infusion! Yay!
1/22/09 - First mammo since dx - unaffected breast CLEAR!
1/30/09 - Second Muga score 63%
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02-27-2009, 07:08 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 141
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Thank you all for responding!
Thank you ladies for replying-
today I finally had the 2nd basal cell removed from the top of my head and now I look like I had brain surgery since I have to wear a compression stocking on my head for 24 hours.
While I met with the surgeon I had an indepth discussion about breast cancer and the possible connections of the various types of skin cancers. I commented about the responses to my post in this forum. WOW, my surgeon's view changed from when we last spoke about this topic which was when I had my last basal cell removed in May 08'. Today he told me that he feels eventually studies will prove that all cancers are somehow connected. I felt there is a link but to actually hear that from someone who before felt the opposite, stunned me but now all of this makes more sense.
Thank you all for sharing your experiences and yes we should all check ourselves including areas where the sun don't shine in a full length mirror (if possible) atleast once a month and look for any new changes.
Wishing all of you the very best,
Liz
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02-27-2009, 07:13 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 7
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We have so much to teach the doctors.
Janice
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02-27-2009, 07:20 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 141
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Janice you are soooo right!!!!
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02-27-2009, 08:45 PM
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#14
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Guest
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Melanoma
Melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer. In the general population the average lifetime risk for melanoma is about 2%. Studies have shown a slightly increased risk for melanoma in carriers of BRCA2 mutations. Other gene mutations have been associated with an increased risk for melanoma. If melanoma runs in your family, it is important to consult with a genetics specialist to determine risk and management options.
In women with BC who are BRCA+
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02-28-2009, 07:39 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 141
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Thank you guest, for pointing that out. Some women may not be aware of that. Actually when I initially went to see a dermatologist that was one of the questions on the patient questionnnare (specifically to melonoma). Fortunately cancer does not run in my family. In a family of all girls (I'm the youngest of 6 girls) and the only one that has ever been diagnosed with breast cancer and the only one on both; my maternal (family of 18) and paternal (family of 14) as well. But none of us can be too careful, since cancer is very sneeky(sp?) and obviously does not discriminate.
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02-28-2009, 09:40 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 161
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I had numerous (20+) basal cells removed beginning about 25 years ago. Since diagnosis in 2004, I've had more plus 1 squamous cell and one stage 0 melanoma on my leg last year. I see the dermatologist twice a year to have the new basal cells removed. They just keep cropping up. Fortunately, I recognized the melanoma as such early on before it got too nasty.
__________________
Diag. Oct. 2004 age 54 left breast
Stage 1 grade 3; 6mm IDC; unknown amount of DCIS
with comedo necrosis; node neg.
Nottingham Grade 7/9
ER 91% PR 62%; Her2 3.6 by ICH; KI-67 35%
Nov 2004 Lumpectomy; SNB failed so had
full axillary clearance;
Dec 2004 2nd lumpy for clean DCIS margins.
Jan/Feb 2005 4 A/C dose dense;
33 rads finished 6/2005;
Began 5 years Arimidex in 6/2005
No Herceptin
9/2007 Quit Arimidex due to severe side effects.
NED
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02-28-2009, 08:37 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Mountains of Virginia
Posts: 2,267
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This thread really got me thinking about other things that might be related to BC that occured prior to DX.
As far back as I can remember, I had what appeared to be a light colored mole, surrounded by an area that had no pigmentation, just above the areola on my affected breast. Cancer related?
Also, for several months prior to dx, I had an "itch" in the area where the upper edge of my bra joined the side elastic going under the arm. I was constantly hooking my thumb under my bra to scratch the itch. I now realize that the itch was in the area where my very small tumor and larger area of necrosis was found. Could I somehow have been "feeling" the cancer? Or was this just coincidence? Didn't have the same "itch" in the other breast.
__________________
Rhonda (Sassy)
dx age 45
DX 2/15/05 Stage IIb (at surgery)restaged IIIa
Left mast .9cm tumor 5 of 14 nodes
Triple Positive
4 DD A/C
12 Taxol/Herceptin
33Rads
Strange infect mast site one year aft surg, hosp 1 wk
Herceptin for total of 18 months
Lupron Monthly 4 yrs
Neurontin for aches, pains and hot flashes(It works!)
Ovaries removed 11/09 stop Lupron and Neurontin
Arimidex 6 yrs (tried Femara, no SE improvement)
Tried Exemestane-hips got so bad could hardly walk
Back to Arimidex for year seven
Zometa 2X Annual for 7years, Lasix
Stop Arimidex 5/13
Stop Zometa 7/13-Bi-lateral Stress Fractures in Femurs from Zometa
5/14 Start Tamoxifen
3/15 Stem cell transplant to stimulate femur bone growth/healing
5/15 Complete fracture of right femur/Titanium rods both femurs
9/16 Start Evista stopTamoxifen
3/17 Stop Evista--unwelcome side effects!
NED and no meds.......
14 YEARS NED!
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02-28-2009, 10:14 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 943
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Yes, Geri, I recall having read that article last summer. I thought it was interesting too since I had basal cell cancer removed from my neck and had breast cancer too, both at a young age and I was not much of a sun worshiper. I am fair skinned with freckles, though.
PS. My paternal grandmother had breast cancer too at a younger age and a history of a lot of basal cell carcinomas. My dad has had a lot of basal cell carcinomas, but no other cancers.
__________________
Robin
2002- dx her2 positive DCIS/bc TX Mast, herceptin chemo
Last edited by RobinP; 02-28-2009 at 10:16 PM..
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09-06-2009, 12:36 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 943
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Re: Skin basal cell carcinoma and breast cancer?
Yes, there is a link between BCC and Bc. Note the interesting link below, citing patch1 tumor suppressor gene weakness in the heterzygous state and increased sonic hedgehod signaling, which are responsible for increased basal cell carcinoma and increased breast cancer.
http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache:...ient=firefox-a
LInk on patch1 tumor suppressor gene weakness in the heterzygous state in BCC:
http://books.google.com/books?id=uoQ...in%20D&f=false
__________________
Robin
2002- dx her2 positive DCIS/bc TX Mast, herceptin chemo
Last edited by RobinP; 09-06-2009 at 12:43 PM..
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09-06-2009, 05:12 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 46
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Re: Skin basal cell carcinoma and breast cancer?
I had a bout of squameous on the same side as the cancer side.
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