Another cancer after breast cancer treatment? (Secondary Cancer) Let's be aware of this

You've fought a tough battle with breast cancer, undergone surgery and chemotherapy, and are now feeling a little better. That's a big win. But you know that after treatment, there's a small risk that the original cancer will come back. But also, some people can develop a new cancer that's unrelated to the original cancer as a side effect of treatment. In medicine, we call this a ' secondary cancer' . Don't be afraid to hear this. The most important thing is to be well -informed about it.

What are the possible types of secondary cancers?

The most common second cancer that can occur after breast cancer is another breast cancer. But this is not a recurrence of the previous one. This is a new one that develops from new cancer cells. It can be in the other breast, or if you had only the cancer removed (lumpectomy), it can be in another part of the same breast.

Depending on the type of breast cancer treatment you received, you may be at slightly higher risk than the average person of developing other types of second cancers. Some of these are listed below.

Research shows that race and age can sometimes play a role in this. Also, the risk may increase slightly as you get older after you have completely recovered from breast cancer and live for a while. But research is still being done on this. So it's important to be aware rather than panicking.

What are the risk factors for a second cancer?

There are several factors that can contribute to the development of a second cancer after treatment for breast cancer. Let's take a look at what they are.

Genetics

Some women inherit a genetic mutation called the BRCA gene . Having these genes increases your overall risk of developing cancers of the reproductive system, such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer. If you have a family history of cancer, it's important to talk to your doctor about this.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a major treatment for breast cancer. It involves sending radiation to the chest area. The overall risk of developing a second cancer is very low. However, there is a small risk.

• Lung cancer: This risk is especially high for women who smoke.
• Sarcoma: This is a type of cancer that affects connective tissues such as blood vessels and bones.
• Blood cancer: Bone marrow-related cancers such as leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

This risk depends on the dose of radiation you received, how long you were exposed to radiation, and how much of your bone marrow was exposed. This type of second cancer usually occurs several years after radiation treatment.

Chemotherapy

Some chemotherapy drugs may slightly increase the risk of developing leukemia and MDS. Higher doses and longer treatment periods increase this risk even more. The types of chemotherapy drugs that increase the risk are:

• Alkylating agents
• Platinum-based drugs
• Anthracycline topoisomerase II inhibitors

The drug Tamoxifen

This is a very important drug that is given to reduce the risk of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer coming back. However, when using it, the risk of uterine cancer, for example, endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma, is very slightly increased. Therefore, if you have any unusual vaginal bleeding while taking this drug, you should tell your doctor immediately .

Obesity

This is not related to treatment. But research has found that weight gain, or obesity, is a major factor in increasing the risk of a second cancer among breast cancer survivors. In particular, having a high body mass index (BMI) opens the door to a second breast cancer or other cancers related to obesity.

Screenings to detect secondary cancers

After you have completed your breast cancer treatment, it is very important to attend follow-up appointments (clinics) that your doctor prescribes. Your doctor will want to monitor you regularly. These appointments provide opportunities to:

• Checking for signs that breast cancer has returned.
• To see if there are any late-term side effects of the treatments.
• Mammograms are performed to check for recurrence of the cancer or signs of a second cancer.
• Screen for signs of cervical cancer with tests like Pap smears and bone density tests to check bone health.

These follow-up appointments are a great time to ask any questions you may have. If you notice any new changes or unusual conditions in your body after treatment, tell your doctor without delay.

Things you can do to reduce the risk

The good news is that most people who recover from breast cancer will not develop a second cancer . But the risk is slightly higher than the average person, so it's important to be aware of it. While there's no way to 100% prevent a second cancer, there are many things you can do to reduce your risk.

• Early detection: Be sure to attend follow-up appointments as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the treatment plan exactly to prevent the cancer from coming back.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a major risk factor, so try to maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and exercise.
• Stay active:Exercise daily. Start small. Start with simple things like walking and stretching exercises, and gradually increase your intensity as you gain strength.
• Healthy diet: Eat a diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Reduce red meat, processed meats, sugary drinks, and highly processed foods as much as possible.
• Limit alcohol: If you drink alcohol, try to limit it to one unit per day.
• Avoid smoking completely: Stay away from smoking and tobacco products completely. This is a major risk factor for many types of cancer, including lung cancer.