Researchers have pinpointed a damaged gene that doubles the risk of familial breast cancer in a small percentage of women, a new study shows.Experts say the findings won’t change patient care, but may provide comfort to women who develop the disease despite not having the commonly mutated BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

“Unraveling why women get breast cancer is complex,” said Mary Ann Gilligan, an associate professor of medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin who was not involved in the study.

“This study gives us a small piece of the puzzle toward explaining risk, but it’s not the answer,” said Gilligan, who practices at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee.

About 5 percent to 10 percent of breast cancers are caused by inherited mutations in a single gene. Women with mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 have about an 80 percent chance of getting breast cancer in their lifetimes.

Other genes - TP53, CHEK2 and ATM - also have been identified, but the combination of all known genes only account for about 25 percent of inherited risk.

The new study looked at a gene called BRIP1 in women with a family history of breast cancer, but who didn’t have either of the BRCA genes.

BRIP1 is a DNA repair gene that can lead to uncontrollable cell growth if it’s not functioning properly.

Among the 1,212 British women with breast cancer, nine had a truncated, or severely damaged, BRIP1 gene. There were two severe mutations among the 2,081 patients without breast cancer.

The researchers concluded that the mutated gene increased risk for breast cancer from 8 percent to 16 percent by age 70, thus only explaining another small piece of risk.

The findings are published in the journal Nature Genetics.

“There are likely to be several different genes, each with small effects, which will be acting together and with other non-genetic factors to cause familial clustering of cancer,” said Nazneen Rahman, author of the study and a professor of cancer genetics at The Institute of Cancer Research in the United Kingdom.

“Moreover mutations in this gene are present in only one in one thousand of the population,” she said. “We will need to find out more about which women with BRIP1 mutations develop cancer, and why, before testing can be offered.”

Currently, there’s no way to screen women for the mutation, Gilligan said.

From Kansas City Star 

Each year, 182,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,300 die. One woman in eight either has or will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. In addition, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die this year. If detected early, the five-year survival rate exceeds 95%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram. The National Cancer Institute and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommend that women in their forties and older have mammograms every one to two years. A complete early detection plan also includes regular clinical breast examinations by a trained medical professional. Monthly breast self-exams are suggested in addition.

(From the Breast Cancer Site)

The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Below is information in regards to the purpose of this month. Throughout the month, all posts will have a pink ribbon incorporated in it, as well as a pink ribbon in the sidebar.

Source NBCAM

Two Decades of Success…

For more than 20 years, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) has educated women about early breast cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. NBCAM continues reaching out to women with several key messages, most notably, the importance of early detection through annual mammography screening for women over 40, or earlier for women at increased risk. Mammography screenings are a woman’s best chance for detecting breast cancer early. When coupled with new treatment options, mammography screenings can significantly improve a woman’s chances of survival. We are pleased that our efforts have contributed to more women than ever participating in mammography screening. Independent reports indicate that this has been instrumental in the increase in the survival rate for women with breast cancer.

Taking it to the Next Level…

Now, in an effort to further increase our impact, we are seeking to take our activities to the next level - encouraging all women to take charge of their own breast health. Whether it includes practicing regular self-breast exams or making sure to schedule an annual mammogram, every little bit counts. For patients and survivors, adherence to one’s prescribed treatment is equally as paramount.