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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Could Drug Addiction Increase Chances Of Getting Cancer?

My mom is 56 years old and has never had a mammogram. She has a sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer about 7 years ago, and my mom blames past drug use on her sisters cancer. I tried to advise my mom to go in and have a mammogram, or at the very least to do self exams, but she refuses saying that it's not needed because she has never done drugs. so my question to you would be... Does doing drugs up your chances/causes you to get cancer? Also if drugs do impact the chances of getting cancer, is it still likely that it could run in your family?
Tue, 16 Dec 2014
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Oncologist, Surgical,  's  Response
Drug usage as a direct cause for breast cancer is not established. However, it does lower your immunity and so has an indirect effect on cancer risk. However, this does not mean that people who dont do drugs cannot have breast cancer. Also, one of the strong risk factors for development of breast cancer is family history. So, if one or more members in your family have had breast cancer, then your risk for developing the same is higher than normal. So I strongly suggest that your mother undergoes yearly mammogram and monthly self exams, and if there is any abnormality on mammo or self exam then to consult an oncologist immediately.
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Could Drug Addiction Increase Chances Of Getting Cancer?

Drug usage as a direct cause for breast cancer is not established. However, it does lower your immunity and so has an indirect effect on cancer risk. However, this does not mean that people who dont do drugs cannot have breast cancer. Also, one of the strong risk factors for development of breast cancer is family history. So, if one or more members in your family have had breast cancer, then your risk for developing the same is higher than normal. So I strongly suggest that your mother undergoes yearly mammogram and monthly self exams, and if there is any abnormality on mammo or self exam then to consult an oncologist immediately.