A recent study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that breast cancer survivors may have a slightly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia compared to those who are not diagnosed with breast cancer. The study, which analyzed data from over 70,000 patients, found that radiation therapy was associated with a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer’s dementia.
Researchers investigated the relationship between breast cancer treatment and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease among breast cancer survivors. They matched the breast cancer survivor group to cancer-free controls and followed them for an average of seven years. The study found that breast cancer survivors had a slightly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia, with a subdistribution hazard ratio of 0.92.
The analysis by treatment modality showed that radiation therapy was associated with a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer’s dementia, while the use of certain medications and treatments did not appear to have any association with risk. However, other factors such as smoking, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease were found to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s dementia.
The study’s findings suggest that breast cancer survivors may be able to reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s dementia by managing modifiable risk factors such as smoking and diabetes, along with standard cancer treatment. The researchers conclude that understanding the potential protective association of breast cancer on Alzheimer dementia can enhance surveillance strategies for early detection among these survivors.
Source: https://ascopost.com/news/june-2025/breast-cancer-new-study-finds-survivors-may-face-lower-risk-of-alzheimer-dementia