Genetic mutation doubles breast cancer risk

London, England

In a new study, researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research in Great Britain say that the BRIP1 gene highly increases the risk of getting breast cancer.

The study, carried out at the Institute of Cancer Research in the UK, indicated that women having the gene are two times more likely to develop breast cancer compared to those who show no mutation of the BRIP1 gene.

The British experts examined nearly 3,200 women, of whom 1,200 were suffering from breast cancer. Researchers revealed that nine of the patients with breast cancer had BRIP1 mutations compared to two women from the healthy group.

"BRIP1 is the latest gene we have found and leads to a small increased risk of breast cancer. We know there are many more genes still to find before we have the complete picture of the genetic causes of breast cancer, but with each step we are making progress," explained Nazneen Rahman, co-author of the study.

The findings were publishing in this week's "Nature Genetics" journal.

Scientists are hoping that their discovery will determine more women to undergo routine tests that detect the condition of the BRIP1 gene. This way women will find out if they are more exposed to the risk of developing breast cancer.

"The discovery of a gene that increases breast cancer risk, even for a small number of women, is very important. Scientists are now beginning to understand more about the genes that are linked to breast cancer and we hope this knowledge will help identify and better manage more women at an increased risk of the disease in the future," concluded John Toy at the Institute of Cancer Research in Great Britain.

Patients having breast cancer are very likely to be cured if the disease is detected in an early stage. This is why doctors recommend regular breast control for women over 40. However, cancer combined with negligence kills thousands yearly.