Are You More at Risk for Cancer If You’ve Already Had Cancer?
There are a lot of hard questions where cancer is concerned and wondering if you are at a greater risk if you have already been diagnosed with cancer is one of the most common. And, as is typical with a cancer diagnosis, the answer is more nuanced than cut and dried.
A 2012 study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that people who had already received a cancer diagnosis were about 2.2 times more likely to experience a recurrence of that cancer, but only about 1.1 times more likely, or have a 1-3% increase, of being diagnosed with a new type of cancer, generally referred to as a “second cancer.”
It is not clear to researchers if the second cancer is caused by the original cancer, the treatments used to treat that cancer, or a combination of those things. The well regarded cancer foundation, Livestrong, has identified a number of factors that may contribute to the diagnosis of a second cancer. Those include:
age at first diagnosis of cancer;
type of treatment received;
genetic markers;
lifestyle;
family history;
environmental exposures; and
poor follow-up for initial cancer diagnosis.
Researchers generally agree that children and young adults are at an increased risk for a second cancer occurring if treated with radiation, or particular types of strong dose chemotherapies, especially at younger ages. Also, while a second cancer may occur at any time after completion of treatment, many of those secondary diagnoses occur five to nine years post treatment. Achieving the ten year post-treatment milestone is always a positive sign for cancer survivors.
The American Cancer Society provides an online resource for patients to understand the difference between a second cancer and a cancer recurrence, which is twice as likely to occur. They point out that a cancer recurrence is just that – the original cancer, after some period of time, re-occurring in the body, though not always in its original location. A second cancer is the appearance of a completely different type of cancer.
Managing the risk of cancer recurrence or secondary cancers presenting themselves is very similar to managing the risk of any cancer occurring. While much of it may be out of a patient’s control – things like genetic markers or family history cannot be changed, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and seeking out thorough follow-up care are two things cancer patients can do to minimize their risk.
Patients can help themselves maintain their good health after cancer treatment by caring for themselves and making their good health a priority. Here are some excellent resources to help you do just that from our Hope & Healing Care Blog:
One of the benefits of advances in cancer treatment is that there are more survivors – many more survivors. With cancer patients living longer and surviving their original diagnosis, cancer recurrence and second cancers are moving to the forefront of researchers’ questions. Srilata Gundala, MD, the hematologist/oncologist who founded Hope & Healing Care centers in Lombard and Hinsdale, Illinois has some advice for cancer survivors, “It is so important to balance the understandable fear of cancer recurrence with your quality of life. Talk to your oncologist, a trusted friend, your primary doctor, or a therapist if you feel your concerns or fears are becoming unmanageable or preventing you from doing what you need to do to stay healthy.” While all risk factors cannot be controlled, there is much a survivor can do to help themselves stay healthy and happy.
Written By: Sheila Quirke, MSW
Reviewed By: Srilata Gundala, MD
