Increased risk of pancreatic, thyroid, prostate and breast cancers in men with a family history of breast cancer: A population-based study

Abstract

The association between a family history of breast cancer (FHBC) in female first-degree relatives (FDRs) and cancer risk in men has not been evaluated. This study aimed to compare the risks of overall and site-specific cancers in men with and without FHBC. A population-based study was conducted with 3 329 106 men aged ≥40 years who underwent national cancer screening between 2013 and 2014. Men with and without FHBC in their female FDRs were age-matched in a 1:4 ratio. Men without FHBC were defined as those without a family history of any cancer type in their FDRs. Data from 69 124 men with FHBC and 276 496 men without FHBC were analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 4.7 ± 0.9 years. Men with an FHBC in any FDR (mother or sister) had a higher risk of pancreatic, thyroid, prostate and breast cancers than those without an FHBC (adjusted hazard ratios [aHRs] (95% confidence interval [CI]): 1.35 (1.07-1.70), 1.33 (1.12-1.56), 1.28 (1.13-1.44) and 3.03 (1.130-8.17), respectively). Although an FHBC in any one of the FDRs was not associated with overall cancer risk, FHBC in both mother and sibling was a significant risk factor for overall cancer (aHR: 1.69, 95% CI:1.11-2.57) and increased the risk of thyroid cancer by 3.41-fold (95% CI: 1.10-10.61). FHBC in the mother or sister was a significant risk factor for pancreatic, thyroid, prostate and breast cancers in men; therefore, men with FHBC may require more careful BRCA1/2 mutation-related cancer surveillance.