The Relationship between Breast Cancer and the Development of Colorectal Adenomas

Abstract

Purpose: To assess if women with breast cancer have a higher adenoma detection rate (ADR) than women without breast cancer. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 800 women with a diagnosis of breast cancer was performed. Those who were 50 and older, and underwent a colonoscopy at our institution were selected. The patients' race, colonoscopy findings and pathology of polyps were recorded. A control group of 146 women was created for comparison. Data was imported into Microsoft Excel for evaluation. Results: In total, 121 women with breast cancer underwent a colonoscopy. 76 were done for screening purposes, 16 for surveillance of previously found polyps, and 29 for gastrointestinal symptoms. 11 (9%) were African American, 106 (88%) were Caucasian, and 4 (3%) classified as other. The polyp detection rate (PDR) was 42.6%; the ADR was 24.7%, and the advanced ADR was 13.1%. Our control group consisted of 146 women without breast cancer who underwent colonoscopy. 18 (12%) were African American, 116 (79%) were Caucasian, and 12 (8%) were considered other. The PDR was 48.6%, ADR was 30.1%, and the advanced ADR was 5.4%. Conclusion: While prior studies have shown an association between breast cancer and the development of CRC, the degree of increased risk is uncertain. In our retrospective study, no difference was found in ADR between women with breast cancer and those in the control group. However, there was an increased advanced ADR in the breast cancer group. This finding is of unclear significance, and further studies with larger sample sizes are needed.