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Mammographic breast density is a strong risk factor for breast cancer
With breast-density legislation increasing, it’s wise to begin to consider this variable in breast cancer risk predictions
Although bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is known to prevent breast and ovarian cancer in BRCA mutation carriers,1 published reports also have suggested that, among mutation carriers with breast cancer, oophorectomy improves survival. In this retrospective analysis, investigators focused on women with stage I or II breast cancer and a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, observing them for as long as 20 years after diagnosis. Survival rates were compared between women who did and did not undergo oophorectomy.
Details of the trial
Metcalfe and colleagues followed women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation and intact ovaries who were diagnosed with breast cancer at age 65 or younger between 1975 and 2008, tracking them for a mean of 12.5 years. Of 676 women, 345 underwent oophorectomy, usually with the intent of preventing ovarian cancer.
Overall, oophorectomy was associated with a 56% reduction in the risk of breast cancer-specific mortality (P = .005). Among breast cancer survivors with a BRCA1 mutation, oophorectomy was associated with a significant 62% reduction in breast cancer mortality. Among BRCA2 carriers, the observed 43% reduction in breast cancer mortality did not achieve statistical significance (P = .23).
Full impact of oophorectomy may be difficult to tease out
As Metcalfe and colleagues point out, recent improvements in breast imaging that have led to earlier diagnosis, as well as improvements in the treatment of breast cancer, might attenuate the mortality benefits observed with oophorectomy.
WHAT THIS EVIDENCE MEANS FOR PRACTICE
This important report underscores the importance of testing all women with early-stage breast cancer for BRCA mutations, and informs the management of known BRCA1 carriers with breast cancer.
—Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
