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Breast Cancer Can Come From Dad, Too

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

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 20, 2007 4:53 AM CDT

(Newser) – Half of congenital breast cancer victims inherit the disease from their fathers, not their mothers, according to a new study. And unless dad has female relatives with the affliction, the responsible gene may go undiscovered. The study in JAMA warns doctors, increasingly screening family trees for cancer, not to overlook the paternal genetic danger of the devastating disease.

Researchers say the findings also mean that more young women without ostensible histories should undergo expensive genetic tests to screen their genomes for risk. A geneticist said the study allows women whose moms were cancer free to tell insurers that it's "still reasonable to test and it should be a covered benefit."

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Breast Cancer Can Come From Dad, Too

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

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Breast Cancer Can Come From Dad, Too

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

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Breast Cancer Study

cancer • health • breast cancer • women's health • genetics • women • JAMA

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Breast Cancer Risk Seen for Latinos, Blacks

Scientists find higher prevalance of mutated gene in new study

Scientists ID New Breast Cancer Genes

Biggest breakthrough in a decade may advance prevention, treatment

Breast Cancer Decline Tied to Hormone Drop

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

Women Alerted to Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Subtle signs may aid early diagnosis of stealthy disease

Conservatives Wield FDA Data on HPV Vaccine

Cite health risks in opposing vaccination of teenage girls

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?