New gene mutation located, may cause breast cancer
Feb 23, 2012
A recent study conducted by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Oulu in Finland found a new gene mutation that may contribute to breast cancer.
The BRCA gene mutation has been known for quite some time, but it may have a partner. The researchers discovered a mutation in the Abraxas gene, which interacts with BRCA1. The mutations affect one another, as the Abraxas is not able to bind to close sites of damaged DNA and impairs the BRCA1 from migrating to the damaged DNA as well.
The study authors reported that the Abraxas gene may be added to the 14 other mutations in which breast cancer-prone families can be tested for, pending additional research.
According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point during her lifetime. It is recommended once a woman turns 40, she starts scheduling annual mammograms, which can detect if a person has the disease.