Breast Cancer link to Colon Issues

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Gingermiss65
Gingermiss65 Member Posts: 37
edited August 2018 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

Has anyone been told by their Oncologist that Breast Cancer can affect the colon? I had an extended appendix that was caught and surgically removed and of course the appendix is attached to the colon. It wasn't carcinoma but it wasn't normal either. Another lady I read...her Oncologist had her colon tested because she was told there is a link btwn the two?

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited August 2018

    My neighbor had breast cancer then a few years later they found cancer in her colon. She never said it metastasized but just said it was linked. She had a 6 inch section removed at that was it. She is doing fine right now.

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  • oxygen18
    oxygen18 Member Posts: 164
    edited August 2018

    BC does not tend to metastasize to colon, but BC survivors are at somewhat higher risk of primary colon cancer.

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  • Gingermiss65
    Gingermiss65 Member Posts: 37
    edited August 2018

    Ok..thank you for your responses. After the appendix coming out..they did a colonoscopy on me..and it was negative. They also did a CT Scan which was negative and a solution of some kind was put into me while they were doing the appendectomy and there was no cancer detected. I wonder why the colon is at risk for cancer from Breast Cancer. Does anyone know?

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited August 2018

    There are certain genetic mutations (CHEK2 for one) that increase risk for both breast and colon cancers, or sometimes multiple kinds of cancer. If you don't have one of those gene mutations you aren't necessarily at higher risk than the average person for both.

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  • DebAL
    DebAL Member Posts: 877
    edited August 2018

    I agree with melissa. I have a strong family history of cancer, including colon. Since that was reflected in my genetic screening they tested me for both breast and colon cancer mutations. All came up normal but as we know there may be some mutations out there that have not been discovered yet. I've been getting colonoscopies every 3 years for awhile. You could always establish care with a GI specialist if you are concerned.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited August 2018

    Deb, same here. Both my dad's sister & mom had colon cancer & he grows big polyps fast. When I had LCIS after ovarian cancer they actually tested me for CHEK2 and PTEN before they did BRCA. My mucinous ovarian cancer was intestinal cell type.

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  • SimoneRC
    SimoneRC Member Posts: 419
    edited August 2018

    ATM genemutation also connected to both breast and colon cancer.

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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited August 2018

    I've recently read some conflicting studies on whether or not there is an increased risk of colon cancer for BC survivors. Many of my doctors have been on me about getting a colonoscopy - I was diagnosed with BC soon after I turned 50 and had been busy with all of that for a while.

    I just had the colonoscopy and endoscopy this week. Lots of results and biopsies. Gastritis, esophagitis, and hiatal hernia. Most concerning - a 4 cm "nodule" in my stomach that I now need a CT to further evaluate. And two polyps removed from the rectum. Oh, joy.

    I thought I was doing all of this to just check off another box on my medical "to do" list. It seems that every test I ever have just leads to more questions. I'm so tired of worrying.


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  • Godismystrength
    Godismystrength Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2018

    Hang in there! God's got this!

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