Breast cancer breakthrough as study uncovers new genetic variants that increase risk

Researchers hope new discoveries will help explain why some women are predisposed to breast cancer, as well as why certain forms are harder to treat

Common inherited genetic variants that together increase the risk of breast cancer by about a fifth have been identified by scientists.

A huge team of researchers working together around the world uncovered 65 new variants. On their own, they contribute around 4% of the two-fold heightened risk of women with a strong family history of breast cancer developing the disease.

Related: Test for breast cancer risk could reduce pre-emptive mastectomies

Related: Women with BRCA gene mutations given clearer picture of breast and ovarian cancer risk

Continue reading... October 23, 2017 at 08:30PM