Hundreds of genes may be linked to breast cancer

Scientists have identified four more genes that increase breast cancer risk.

Cancer Research UK scientists led an international team of experts in the world’s first large-scale "whole genome search" for breast cancer genes.

They sifted through the DNA of nearly 50,000 women, half of them breast cancer patients and half healthy.

It is hoped their discovery, published in Nature journal, will lead to more genes being identified, and better testing to identify women most at risk.

By studying the genetic material researchers found five culprit DNA regions housing new four genes, FGFR2, TNRC9, MAP3K1 and LSP1.

Professor Douglas Easton, director of Cancer Research UK’s genetic epidemiology unit in Cambridge, said: "Now we know these search methods are effective, we think that many more breast cancer genes can be found.

"These methods are already being applied by Cancer Research UK to find genes for a whole range of other cancers, including prostate, bowel and lung cancer."

Overall, inherited cases make up between 5 and 10% of all breast cancer cases in the UK which total 44,000 a year. "Lifestyle factors" such as smoking and environmental factors are believed to account for the rest.

Source : BBC NEWS-Health