connection between breast cancer and cervical cancer

[jackie0128]

My sister is 32 years old and found a lump in her breast in late June 2002.  She had been to her gyne in November 2001 who did not detect a lump at that time.  She was been referred to a surgeon who determined that the lump was nothing to be concerned with and felt that she did not even need a biopsy, that he would see her in 6 weeks (suggesting she avoid caffeine - she intakes a lot of caffeine).  However, our mother died at the age of 48 of cervical cancer.  Is there any known connection between cervical cancer and breast cancer insofar as heredity genes / tissue?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear jackie0128:  There is a link between early breast and ovarian cancers.  It is unlikely that your mother's cervical cancer history will put your sister at higher risk of breast cancer.  Caffiene can certainly cause lumpy breasts and, from what you are saying, this lump felt like fibrous tissue to the doctor.  He is advising her cut out caffiene and he will see her again in 6 weeks.  This is not an unreasonable time frame.  If she follows his advise there are several possibilities.  The lump may disappear.  If the lump is still there, it may be easier to feel because other fibrous tissue may be eliminated.  Mammography can be difficult to read in young women due to dense breast tissue.  It makes sense to try the obvious first - especially if this lump does not feel suspicious.