Increased prevalence of colorectal adenomas in women with breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
The frequency of colorectal adenomas and carcinomas was investigated in a large cohort of women with breast cancer in comparison with matched controls, since data on the occurrence of second tumors in women with breast cancer is controversial.


METHODS
In a cohort study, 188 consecutive women (median age 57 years) with primary breast cancer and 376 age-matched women who served as controls were examined by total colonoscopy. Breast cancer patients and controls were compared for the frequency of colorectal adenomas and carcinomas.


RESULTS
Women with breast cancer showed a higher risk of colorectal adenomas than controls (14.9 vs. 9.3%, p=0.047, OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0-2.9). This increased prevalence resulted primarily from an increased prevalence in the age group 65-85 (31 vs. 10%, p=0.004, OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.6-9.3). Colorectal carcinomas were found infrequently in both groups (2 in each group). Women with breast cancer receiving anti-estrogen therapy showed a trend towards a lower risk of adenomas compared to women without anti-estrogen therapy (3.7 vs. 17.2%, p=0.053, OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.0-1.1).


CONCLUSIONS
Women with breast cancer above the age of 65 years have an increased risk of colorectal adenomas compared to women without breast cancer. Women with a diagnosis of breast cancer should especially be encouraged to participate in colorectal cancer-screening programs which, in most countries, call for screening of all average-risk individuals over the age of 50 years.
Ochsenkühn
Thomas
T
Department of Medicine II, University of Munich, Munich, Germany. thomas.ochsenkuehn@med.uni-muenchen.de
Bayerdörffer
Ekkehard
E
Meining
Alexander
A
Späth
Lydia
L
Mannes
Gerd Alexander
GA
Wiebecke
Baldur
B
Eiermann
Wolfgang
W
Sackmann
Michael
M
Göke
Burkhard
B
D000236:Adenoma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors