The link between ovarian and breast cancer

Ovarian and breast cancer are among the most common types of cancer affecting women. Although they develop in different parts of the body, scientists agree that the two can be biologically connected — particularly through genetics.

A clear connection between these two cancers is the presence of mutations of  in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

According to the American Cancer Society, women diagnosed with breast cancer may have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.

In fact, those with breast cancer are twice as likely to develop ovarian cancer at some point in their life.

Research suggests that women who carry a BRCA1 mutation have up to a 72% lifetime risk of breast cancer and up to a 44% risk of ovarian cancer.Continue reading…