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Genetic Link Between Mammographic Density and Breast Cancer
Reported February 17, 2010
ScienceDaily (Feb. 17, 2010) — A University of Melbourne study has
revealed that certain breast cancer genetic variants increase mammographic
density, confirming the link between mammographic breast density and breast
cancer.
Professor John Hopper of the University's School of Population Health says
women vary greatly in their underlying risk of breast cancer. "These
findings provide an insight into possible new pathways into the development
of breast cancer."
"We hope our research on mammographic density will eventually help identify
women at higher risk of getting breast cancer. That is still a way off, but
for now women should follow national guidelines for screening," he says.
The research was conducted in the University's School of Population Health
and Department of Pathology along with key national and international
collaborators. The paper was published today in the journal Cancer Research.
"Previous twin studies have suggested there is a genetic link between
mammographic density and breast cancer. For the first time, we have been
able to identify some of the breast cancer genetic variants involved."
The amount of light areas on a mammogram reveals the mammographic density of
a woman's breast. Women who have high mammographic density for their age are
at an increased risk of breast cancer.
Using mammograms and blood samples from a study of 830 twin pairs and 600 of
their sisters aged between 30 and 80 years recruited via the Australian Twin
Registry, researchers investigated 12 genetic variants which are known to be
associated with breast cancer.
Dr Jennifer Stone, who led the measurement of mammographic density, says,
"We aimed to determine if these genetic variants associated with breast
cancer risk also influenced mammographic density. We found at least two
variants were linked."
"To date, three other studies had examined this question but have not
provided a convincing answer."
"Finding that several genetic variants associated with breast cancer genes
are also associated with mammographic density could help explain some of the
biological reasons why women of the same age differ so much in mammographic
density," Professor Hopper says.
"In doing so, it could also help unravel how these genetic variants are
associated with breast cancer risk. This is the beginning of a new research
focus on how cancers begin and the role mammographic density plays."
The research was conducted in collaboration with BreastScreen services
across Australia, the Australian Twin Registry and the Cancer Council
Victoria, and supported by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Cancer
Australia, the Victorian Breast Cancer Research Consortium and the National
Health and Medical Research Council.
"This work also builds on long term collaborations with Professor Norman
Boyd of the Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research and Dr
Martin Yaffe from the Sunnybrook Hospital, both in Toronto, Canada,"
Professor Hopper says.
The researchers will now undertake a pooled international study to identify
more genetic variants that are linked to mammographic density and breast
cancer
Currently, BreastScreen Victoria recommends women aged 50 to 69 years have a
screening mammogram every two years.
Source : ScienceDaily LLC
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