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. Design:
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% Cl 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% Cl 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% Cl
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.