4 New Breast Cancer Genes Identified

Scientists have identified four new breast cancer genes and predict that more clues on the genetics of breast cancer await discovery. The findings may ultimately help scientists understand who's at risk for breast cancer and what to do about it. Doctors already know that variations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes make breast cancer and ovarian cancer more likely. But experts have long suspected that other genes also affect breast cancer. Now, researchers say they've found four genes that affect breast cancer risk. But the new findings don't explain all cases of breast cancer. A complex mix of genetic and lifestyle factors likely affect breast cancer risk....Easton's team screened the genes of nearly 4,400 women with breast cancer and 4,300 women without breast cancer. They checked their results in more than 44,400 other women, roughly half of whom had breast cancer. Four genes -- the FGFR2, TNRC9, MAP3K1, and LSP1 genes -- had variations that were more common in women with breast cancer than in women without breast cancer, the study shows. --Click the title of this post to read the full article from its source--