Melanoma and breast cancer

[Knazari]

Hi. I was reading a post from another support community that there may be a connection between melanoma and breast cancer. Has anyone heard of this, or physician mention it, or know someone who had melanoma and later got breast cancer or viceversa? It's freaking me out a bit.

[jennunicorn21]

I have been in the melanoma world a couple of years now and have never heard of a connection between the two.

[BlondieMeg]

I was tested for the BRACA gene. When I got my results I was shocked they also check for the melanoma gene. I came back negative for both. Melanoma does not run in my family, but yet I have it.

[BlondieMeg]

I'm sorry I don't know if there is a connection though, just that the melanoma gene test was included With the BRACA gene test

[jennunicorn21 in reply to BlondieMeg]

What gene did they test for? I haven't heard of a melanoma gene. I have a genetic mutation in my melanoma, but that only shows up in the tumors, wouldn't show up if I didn't have melanoma.

[BlondieMeg in reply to jennunicorn21]

Hey! I still have my paperwork filed. I'll pull it out and take a look tonight or tomorrow when I get a chance. I'm sure there is a more scientific name for it. I had it done 3 years ago, before I had developed melanoma.

[Staceyj36]

My surgical oncologist specialized in melanoma and breast cancer. He told me the reason for that was because they are similar in how they metastisize. I was too stressed out at the time to ask more questions. Hope that helps.

[Knazari in reply to Staceyj36]

Thank you for sharing!

How are you doing now?

[jennunicorn21 in reply to Staceyj36]

Yes because they both tend to start spreading through the lymphatic system so both melanoma and breast cancer patients get sentinel lymph node biopsies, so surgically they are similar.