Second Cancers

[Goofy]

Had breast cancer 6 years ago. Finished the treatment (tamoxifen) and all well. However have just had op for bowel cancer and start chemo (pills) tomorrow.
Realistically, what are the chances of me not developing a third type of cancer (or recurrence of either)?

[Sqad]

Big question Goofy.
Statistically i have no idea.
You breast cancer.........i have no details of your treatment (can't believe it was just Tamoxifen) or it staging and so, i cannot give an opinion as to your prognosis.
Bowel cancer much the same, although you do mention an operation, but no idea of the type of cancer or stage.
Realistically?......doesn't look too good for you does it? Practically, in medicine, one should never say never and anything can happen.

[marval]

I can't answer your question Goofy, just wanted to wish you well.

[Goofy]

Radio therapy for 4 weeks. Grade 1 tumour. Breast.
Bowel - cancerous polyp discovered by colonoscopy.. Precautionary bowel surgery found 1 dodgy lymph thing.

[anneasquith]

I always find it's best to discuss you're condition with the medical staff who know you and you're body, Good luck with you're treatment .

[Sqad]

Goofy....that brightens things up......the prognosis for the intestinal polyp is good and the breast tumour is early and the only "fly in the ointment."
Yes you could develop a third.....BUT......as long as it is in it's early stage.......one could say that would not be the end of the world.
You could develop a third, but that really would be .."bad luck."

[NoMercy]

Goofy, have you been referred to the Genetics Team for BRCA screening?

I've known patients with second, unrelated malignancies and even synchronous cancers (two unrelated cancers at the same time).

You say you had 4 weeks of radiotherapy for your breast Ca? The norm is 40Gy in 15 fractions over 3 weeks...