10/04/2010

Breast Cancer Gene


People often talk about the breast cancer gene, but what exactly is it and what does it mean? Well, the basic finding is that the genes breast cancer are most associated with are: BRCA1 and BRCA2 (otherwise known as Breast Cancer Gene One and Two).  These genes – when functioning healthily – have the task of keeping breast cells growing at a normal rate while preventing cancer cell growth.  But when abnormalities occur in these genes, there is an increased risk of contracting breast cancer.  Still, the gene only accounts for around 10% of all cases of breast cancers.  Also remember that most women who contract breast cancer do not have a familial history of the disease.  Nonetheless, the fact that research centers have made such progress in the identification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 has resulted in the development of new ways of treating and detecting breast cancer.  Jamie Tisch is one of the co-founders of the Women’s Cancer Research Fund, an organization working tirelessly to fight this disease.

Oct 4, 2010 2:25:00 AM | cancer research, charity, Jamie Tisch

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