More Moles May Mean Higher Breast Cancer Risk

the Cancer Therapy Advisor take:

Many people know that the presence of moles raises the risk for skin cancer, but one recent study shows that women with with lots of moles may be more likely to develop breast cancer as well. The study, which was published in PLOS Medicine, indicated that women with at least 15 moles on one arm had a 35% higher chance of developing breast cancer during the next two decades, as compared with women without any moles. Despite the findings, the researchers noted that there is no evidence of a causal link between the presence of moles and breast cancer. They instead theorize that hormones contributing to breast cancer may also be related to the development of moles. Further studies are needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn, the researchers said.