Breast Cancer Gene Mutation Tied to Early Menopause, Infertility

The mutation in the BRCA gene, which raises risk of breast cancer in women, also significantly raises the risk of these women in experiencing an early menopause, along with a short time to conceive and a high risk of infertility, says a new study.

Researchers say that although more studies are required to establish the link between BRCA mutation and early menopause, women with this mutation can opt for early pregnancies and manage their health using fertility counseling along with medications.

In the U.S., an estimated one out of every 600 women carries the harmful BRCA mutation, Reuters Health reported.

"Our findings show that mutation of these genes has been linked to early menopause, which may lead to a higher incidence of infertility. This can add to the significant psychological implications of being a BRCA1/2 carrier, and will likely have an impact on reproductive decision-making," said Mitchell Rosen, M.D., from University of California, San Francisco, and lead author of the study.

Mutations in the genes BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 can lead to a lifetime risk of developing breast cancer in both women and men. Also, women with these gene mutations can be at risk for cancers of cervical, uterine, pancreatic and colon. Note that even though the mutation is passed in families, not all women who carry the harmful genetic variation will develop breast or ovarian cancer, according to The National Cancer Institute.

The present study included 400 women who carried mutations in the BRCA gene in northern California. Researchers compared the onset of menopause in these women with that of menopause in 765 women without the mutation, according to a news release.

Study results showed that female carriers of BRCA gene mutation had, on average, menopause at age 50 compared with other women who had menopause at age 53.

Also, the risk of early menopause increased if these women smoked cigarettes. Heavy smokers, those who smoked about 20 cigarettes a day, had menopause at age 46 years.

"Women with the mutation are faced with challenges in reproductive choices. These data may help women understand that their childbearing years may be even more limited by earlier menopause, so that they can make decisions about their reproductive choices and cancer risk-reducing surgery," said Lee-may Chen, M.D., co-author of the study.

The study was conducted by a research team led by researchers from University of California, San Francisco, and is published in the journal Cancer.

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Affirunisa Kankudti