Breast Cancer Risk Gene Discovered

08 Oct 2006 - Cancer Research UK-funded Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research have revealed that women with a faulty version of a gene called BRIP1 have an increased chance of developing breast cancer.

The study looked at women with a family history of breast cancer and the BRIP1 gene, but who were not carriers of the well-known breast cancer genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2. The team determined that carrying a faulty version of BRIP1 doubled a woman’s risk of the disease, taking their risk by the age of 70 from one in twelve to around one in six. This discovery could help identify women at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. 

Lead researcher Nazneen Rahman, Professor of Cancer Genetics at The Institute, commented: “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.”