More genetic sites associated with increase in breast cancer risk discovered

More genetic sites associated with increase in breast cancer risk discovered
10. May 2010 06:22

Scientists discover five new genetic sites that increase breast cancer risk
Scientists have found five new regions of the genome that increase a woman's risk of developing breast cancer by between six and 16 per cent, according to a study in Nature Genetics today (Sunday)1.

The results of the study, funded by Cancer Research UK and the Wellcome Trust and carried out by scientists at the University of Cambridge and The Institute of Cancer Research, takes the total number of common 'low risk' genetic sites associated with breast cancer to 18.

The increased risk conferred by these genetic variants is small. But as more of these 'low risk' sites are found it may be possible to create tests for a combination of them that together significantly increase risk.

This could help doctors make decisions about prevention, diagnosis and treatment for women who are more likely to get breast cancer.

One of the sites identified contains a gene called CDK2NA, which regulates the process of cell division and is altered in the DNA of many tumours. This gene has also been linked to increasing the risk of a type of skin cancer called melanoma.

open here to see the full-text (large):
More genetic sites associated with increase in breast cancer risk discovered