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Breast Cancer Risk Seen for Latinos, Blacks

Scientists find higher prevalance of mutated gene in new study

By Dustin Lushing, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 26, 2007 6:40 PM CST

(Newser) – A genetic mutation that increases the risk of breast cancer has been linked to Hispanic and young black women, according to a new study. The findings could lead to changes in screening, the San Jose Mercury News reports. In the survey of 3,181 women with breast cancer, 16.7% of black patients under 35 and 3.5% of Hispanic patients had the mutated gene, compared with 2.2% of white patients.

The mutation was previously known to be prevalent among Ashkenazi Jewish women. A woman who carries the defective BRCA1 gene has a 65% risk of developing breast cancer and a 39% risk of ovarian cancer. The study, by Stanford's medical school, is in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Breast Cancer Risk Seen for Latinos, Blacks

Scientists find higher prevalance of mutated gene in new study

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cancer • health • breast cancer • genetics • disease • women • ovarian cancer • genetic mutation • BRCA1 • American Medical Association • black women • Hispanic

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Breast Cancer Can Come From Dad, Too

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Breast Cancer Risk Seen for Latinos, Blacks

Scientists find higher prevalance of mutated gene in new study

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

cancer • health • breast cancer • genetics • disease • women • ovarian cancer • genetic mutation • BRCA1 • American Medical Association • black women • Hispanic

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Breast Cancer Can Come From Dad, Too

Stealth gene at fault in half of inherited cases; better screening urged

Breast Cancer Decline Tied to Hormone Drop

Study links 'colossal' reduction in cancer to women skipping estrogen

Gene Doesn't Alter Cancer Survival Rates

Breast cancer triggered by BRCA1 and BRCA2 no more lethal than other forms

Women Alerted to Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Subtle signs may aid early diagnosis of stealthy disease

Scientists ID New Breast Cancer Genes

Biggest breakthrough in a decade may advance prevention, treatment

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Newser By Users

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What is Newser?