Study Sheds Light on Breast Cancer Gene Mutations
Posted on: Wednesday, 16 August 2006, 09:00 CDT
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have conducted a study in the US which further describes the connection between breast cancer and mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. Results from the study could help in the development of genetic screening strategies for the disease.
In a study, of more than 2,300 African-American and Caucasian women with and without breast cancer, the researchers found that among breast-cancer cases overall, 2.4% and 2.3% carried mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2, respectively.
According to the researchers, BRCA1 mutations were significantly more common in white (2.9%) versus black (1.4%) cases and in Jewish (10.2%) versus non-Jewish (2%) cases. BRCA2 mutations were slightly more common in black (2.6%) versus white (2.1%) cases.
The researchers also examined predictors of carrying a mutation in either gene. The strongest and most significant predictors of carrying a BRCA1 mutation were diagnosis before age 45 in the patient or in a relative, ovarian cancer in a relative and Jewish ancestry. Predictors of BRCA2 mutation status included early age at diagnosis in the patient herself or in her relatives.
"While the primary thrust of this research was to identify predictors of carrying the high-risk mutations and to clarify mutation prevalence in understudied groups, the relatively small proportion of cases found to carry a mutation serves as a continued reminder that the majority of women with breast cancer, even those with a positive family history, do not carry mutations in these genes," according to lead investigator Dr Kathleen Malone, a member of the Hutchinson Center's Public Health Sciences Division.
Source: Datamonitor
Related Articles
- National Cancer Institute Awards Small Business Innovation Research Contract to Rules-Based Medicine, Inc.
- Researchers at National Jewish Health Evaluating a Treatment That May Help Emphysema Sufferers Breathe Easier
- Risk of Breast Cancer Mutations Underestimated for Asian Women, Stanford Study Shows
- Central Mississippi Steel Magnolias Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Legislators, Health Officials, Breast Cancer Survivors and Activists Call for Action on Breast Cancer
- The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition Hails Decline in Breast Cancer Rates; Startling Findings Should Encourage Researchers to Focus on Why
- Breast Cancer Mutation at Different Rates
- Testing Misses Some Breast Cancer Mutations
- The Four Major Cancer Markets, Which Include Colorectal, Prostate, Lung and Breast Cancer, Were Valued at Well Over $16 Billion in 2005
- American Society of Breast Surgeons Meeting Being Held in Los Angeles, March 16-20; Largest Assembly of Breast Cancer Experts to Share Cutting-Edge Research
- Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund Awards Grant for Breast Cancer Awareness Program to ACCESS Health & Research Center
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds