Are breast cancer and lung cancer related?

 As we know that both have different risk factors and histological type and vary even in terms of treatment.

• BREAST CANCER

Risk factors associated with an increased risk of a woman developing breast cancer are-

1. Age and gender-Increasing age and female sex are established risk factors for breast cancer.
2. Family history-The lifetime risk is up to 4 times higher if a mother and sister are affected, and it is about 5 times greater in women who have two or more first-degree relatives with breast cancer,family history of ovarian cancer in a first-degree relative, especially if the disease occurred at an early age (< 50 years), has been associated with a doubling of breast cancer risk. This often reflects inheritance of a pathogenic mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
3. Reproductive factors and steroid hormones-Late age at first pregnancy, nulliparity, early onset of menses, and late age of menopause all are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
4. Hormone replacement therapy for long duration
5. Past history of breast cancer-A history of breast cancer is associated with a 3- to 4-fold increased risk of a second primary cancer in the contralateral breast.
6. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
7. History of radiation exposure to the chest area
8. Dietary factors-diet rich in grains, fruits, and vegetables; low in saturated fats; low in energy (calories); and low in alcohol—the more care thought to be protective against breast cancer.

MANAGEMENT
Surgery and radiation therapy, along with adjuvant hormone or chemotherapy when indicated, are now considered primary treatment for breast canncer.

PROGNOSIS
Death rates from breast cancer have decreased steadily in women since 1990. Breast cancer mortality fell by 24% between 1990 and 2000 for women aged 30-79 years.

The decrease in breast cancer death rates is thought to represent progress in both earlier detection and improved treatment modalities.




LUNG CANCER
Broadly classified into two types-

1. Non small cell lung cancer
2. Small cell lung cancer

Coz,risk factors presentation and management is different for both types.
Non small cell- 
accounts for approx. 85% of lung cancers,requires a complete staging workup to evaluate the extent of disease, because stage plays a major role in determining the choice of treatment. Smoking is most common risk factor(78% in men,90% in women).Approx 75% cases are detected when cancer is already in advanced stage,hence prognosis is usually poor(5 year survival rate only 11%).

SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER-
Is an aggressive neuroendocrine cancer of lung,without treatment, in a few weeks it could be fatal,exhibits aggressive behavior, rapid growth, early spread to distant sites, exquisite sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation, and frequent association with distinct paraneoplastic syndromes.again,most common cause is SMOKING TOBACCO.

Morever, Secondary breast cancer in the lung.Sometimes breast cancer cells spread to one or both lungs through the blood or lymph system.It’s not uncommon for the lymph nodes of the chest (mediastinum) to be affected.
 The cells that have spread to the lungs are breast cancer cells. It is not the same as having cancer that starts in the lungs (a lung cancer). When breast cancer spreads to the lungs it can be treated but it can't be cured.
 
How do the lungs work?
The lungs sit on either side of the chest and are protected by the rib cage. They are lined with two layers of thin tissue called the pleura. The inner layer is attached to the outside of the lungs and the outer layer lines the inside of the chest wall. There is a small space (the pleural space) filled with fluid between the two layers of tissue. The fluid stops the two layers of tissue rubbing together when we breathe.
 
Each lung is made up of sections called lobes. The air we breathe is carried to the lungs via two tubes known as the left and right bronchi (or bronchus in the singular). The bronchi then divide into smaller tubes called bronchioles. At the end of the bronchioles are millions of tiny air sacs (alveoli). It is here that oxygen from the air we breathe is absorbed into the bloodstream (to provide energy) and carbon dioxide is passed from the bloodstream into the air we breathe out.
 
Symptoms
If you have secondary breast cancer in the lungs you may have a number of different symptoms. The most common are described below.
 
Breathlessness
You may find breathing is uncomfortable or feel that you can’t get enough air into your lungs. This is often more noticeable when you are moving but some people experience breathlessness when they are still or lying down. The medical term for breathlessness is dyspnoea.
 
Breathlessness can happen for different reasons. The cancer can narrow or block the airways. Sometimes the cancer can cause swelling or inflammation, which can make breathing more difficult. 
 
Secondary breast cancer in the lungs can increase the risk of chest infections, which can also cause breathlessness.
 
Cough
A cough is another common symptom that can be distressing and tiring. It may be caused by the cancer itself or by an infection. Phlegm can build up in the chest and throat and may be difficult to bring up.
 
Cough medicines can help to control coughing and loosen the phlegm. Using a nebuliser can also help to loosen the phlegm, making it easier to bring up. If the cough is very difficult to control your doctors may prescribe a codeine-based drug or low-dose morphine.
 
Pain
Most pain can be relieved or controlled. Always tell your doctors if you have pain. They will ask you to describe where the pain is, how it feels, how strong it is and what makes it better or worse. This will help them decide what to do to control your pain. If pain relief does not seem to be helping, tell your doctors as they will be able to prescribe a different treatment. You may also be referred to a specialist palliative care or symptom control team, who are experts in helping to manage symptoms.
 
Pleural effusion
A pleural effusion is a build-up of extra fluid in the pleural space. This can make you feel breathless but it can sometimes be eased by taking away the extra fluid that has collected.
 
Loss of appetite and weight loss
When you have secondary breast cancer in the lung you may feel less hungry than usual and lose weight. This can be caused by the effect of the cancer or by the treatment. It may help to eat little and often rather than eat normal-sized meals. Nutritional supplements may be useful if you feel you are not managing to eat enough.
 
If you experience any of these symptoms it is important to contact the specialist team caring for you. They will be able to help you manage them. This can mean a change in treatment or trying different symptom control methods, such as breathing techniques.

Note: New research shows that breast cancer patients who undergo radiotherapy are at an increased risk of subsequently developing a lung tumor, underscoring the importance of limiting radiation exposure to a minimum during the life-saving therapy.