Are breast cancer and colon cancer linked?

Yes: In some people there is a link. Genetic mutations can be passed through families that iincrease risk for both breast and colon cancer. These syndromes include the lynch syndrome and peutz-jeghers syndrome. If your family has a history of cancer, your doctor may suggest genetic testing to determine your risk.

Could be: There are different types of hereditary cancer syndrome. Among those known- there are syndromes that may relate together the presence of breast and colon ca as parts of cluster of cancers syndrome - such as - hnpcc ( lynch syndrome); peutz-jeghers syndrome, brca 1 mutation and chek 2 mutation. Family history of cancer is very important. If yours is significant- talk to your md.

Not directly usually: There is debate about how closely these 2 cancers are related. Both have hereditary natures and are more common generally in obese patients. Both often begin with more benign precursor lesions like dcis for breast cancer and benign polyps for colon cancer. Both are very common but there is little evidence that having either predisposes to having the other.