BRCA1 gene mutation can caused OVARIAN and BREAST CANCER?

Ovarian cancers

Ovarian and breast cancers are caused by mutations in the BRCA1 gene. It has now been figured out by Australian researchers that the gene from carrying out its normal protective function can be blocked by epimutations.

BREAST CANCER

Gene sequence as happens in full-blown mutation is not affected by epimutation but certain functions of a gene are inactivated.

Before the age of 40 years, epimutation in the blood of some women diagnosed with breast cancer has been found by an Australian research team from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, the University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland, but BRCA1 mutations had not occurred in them.

The relatives of women with epimutations are not at increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer as unlike with mutations in the BRCA1 gene, these epimutations appear not to be inherited.

Professor Melissa Southey from the University of Melbourne Department of Pathology, co-leader of the Australian Breast Cancer Family Study and a senior author on the paper said, "For about 3-4 per cent of young women, their BRCA1 gene has been made less capable of preventing breast cancers by some unknown factors. This places them at a 3.5-fold increased risk of breast cancer. This discovery of this modification in BRCA1 gene provides impetus for further work in this area."

Until answers to these and other questions are known, testing for this risk factor will be unavailable.
source:http://www.topnews.ae

OVARIAN and BREAST CANCER