A Postpartum Breast Cancer Diagnosis Reduces Survival in GermlineBRCApathogenic variant Carriers
Authors: Zhang Zhenzhen , Ye Shangyuan , Bernhardt Sarah M. , Nelson Heidi D. , Velie Ellen M , Borges Virginia F , Woodward Emma R , Evans D. Gareth R , Schedin Pepper 
Published: December 2023

IMPORTANCE

In young-onset breast cancer, a diagnosis within 5-10 years of childbirth associates with increased mortality. Women with germlineBRCA1/2pathogenic variants (PVs) are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at younger ages, but the impact of childbirth on mortality is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

Determine whether time between recent childbirth and breast cancer diagnosis impacts mortality among young-onset breast cancer patients with germlineBRCA1/2PVs.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This prospective cohort study includes 903 women with germlineBRCA1/2PVs diagnosed with stage I-III breast cancer at ≤45 years of age, between 1950-2021 in the UK.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome is all-cause mortality, censored at 20 years post-diagnosis. The primary exposure is time between most recent childbirth and breast cancer diagnosis, with recent childbirth defined as >0-<10 years post childbirth (n=419)], further delineated to >0-<5 years (n=228) and 5-<10 years (n=191). Mortality of nulliparous cases (n=224) was compared to the recent postpartum groups and the ≥10 years postpartum (n=260) group. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were adjusted for patient age, tumor stage, further stratified by tumor estrogen receptor (ER) andBRCAgene status.

RESULTS

For allBRCAPV carriers, increased all-cause mortality was observed in women diagnosed >0-<10 years postpartum, compared to nulliparous and ≥10 years groups, demonstrating the transient duration of postpartum risk. Risk of mortality was greater for ER-positive cases in the >0-<5 group [HR=2.35 (95% CI, 1.02-5.42)] and ER-negative cases in the 5-<10 group [HR=3.12 (95% CI, 1.22-7.97)] compared to the nulliparous group. Delineated byBRCA1orBRCA2, mortality in the 5-<10 group was significantly increased, but only forBRCA1carriers [HR=2.03 (95% CI, 1.15-3.58)].

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Young-onset breast cancer with germlineBRCAPVs confers increased risk for all-cause mortality if diagnosed within 10 years of childbirth, with risk highest for ER+ cases at >0-<5 years postpartum, and for ER-cases at 5-<10 years postpartum.BRCA1carriers are at highest risk for poor prognosis when diagnosed at 5-10 years postpartum. No such associations were observed forBRCA2carriers. These results should inform genetic counseling, prevention, and treatment strategies forBRCAPV carriers.

Key Points

Question

Is a postpartum diagnosis an independent risk factor for mortality among young-onset breast cancer patients with germlineBRCA1/2PVs?

Findings

A diagnosis <10 years postpartum associates with higher risk of mortality compared to nulliparous and ≥10 years postpartum cases. Peak risk after childbirth varies for ER-positive (>0-<5 years) vs. ER-negative cases (5-<10 years).BRCA1carriers had peak risk of mortality 5-10 years postpartum, with no associations observed forBRCA2carriers.

Meaning

A breast cancer diagnosis within 10 years of childbirth independently associates with increased risk for mortality in patients with germlineBRCA1/2PVs, especially for carriers ofBRCA1PVs.