Skip to content

New breast cancer genes found?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from Ranz: What new genes have they found in breast cancer with family history?
Answer —Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P.: The reality is that the only two genes that are commercially available for testing are BRCA1 and BRCA2. A gene known as CHEK-2 has been reported to account for a very small percent of hereditary breast cancer, well less than 1 percent. Work on a third or a fourth gene, the AT gene (which stands for ataxia telangiectasia gene) is also ongoing and may play a role in a very small component of hereditary breast cancer. Commercial testing for these two latter genes is not yet available. For the majority of women that have a strong family history and test negative for mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 we clearly need more research done to clarify the factors contributing to their cancer. About 30 percent of women with hereditary breast cancer based on family history criteria will test negative for mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2. There are other genes that appear to be much more frequent in the population that individually account for small increases in breast cancer risk, and a lot of work is ongoing to understand their role.

On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, the Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the 2008 ASCO Annual Meeting. Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. and moderator Nicholas Robert, M.D. answered your questions about the latest news on breast cancer screening, treatment, and side effects reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

wellness_dvd_promo

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Please leave this field empty

Meet the Experts

Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.PGenerosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. is the director of the Cooper Cancer Institute and heads the division of hematology/medical oncology at Cooper University Hospital.

Nicholas Robert, M.D.Nicholas Robert, M.D. is a co-chair of the Breast Committee of the U.S. Oncology Research Network and also chairs the Cancer Committee and Research Committee of the Inova Fairfax Hospital's Cancer Center. 

Back to top

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

Learn more about our commitment to your privacy

© 2009 Breastcancer.org - All rights reserved.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.