Better prevention and early detection More risk genes for breast cancer discovered

Researchers discover new risk genes for ovarian and breast cancer

According to health experts, significantly more women suffer from breast cancer than from ovarian cancer, but the mortality rates for the latter type of cancer are significantly higher. Early detection is of particular importance for both cancers. This could now be improved. Because researchers have discovered new risk genes for breast and ovarian cancer.

Every year, 70,000 women get breast cancer

Breast cancer is the cancer with the highest death rate among women in Germany. Every year, around 17,000 people die from it and around 70,000 fall ill each year. Ovarian cancer is even more dangerous than breast cancer, according to health experts, as the mortality rate is significantly higher for the former cancer. Prevention and early detection are of particular importance for both cancers. There is now great progress. Because an international research team has discovered new genetic risk factors for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

An international research team has discovered new genetic risk factors for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. These can now be used to provide healthy women with tailor-made prevention and screening tailored to their personal risk. (Image: Markus Mainka / fotolia.com)

Breakthrough in cancer research

Only recently, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) reported that researchers have discovered 14 new breast cancer risk genes.

Cologne scientists have now achieved another breakthrough in cancer research.

Together with an international research team, they have discovered new genetic risk factors for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.

According to a statement from the University of Cologne, these can now be used to provide healthy women with tailor-made prevention and screening tailored to their personal risk.

Recognize diseases early

About 30 percent of all familial breast cancers are due to changes in certain inheritable genes.

Twenty years after the discovery of the previously known risk genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, the researchers have now discovered new risk genes.

In addition, 313 other genetic factors were identified that influence the disease probability.

The transfer of findings into medical care has already begun. For example, BRIP1, which has been identified as a high-risk gene for hereditary ovarian cancer, has already been included as a core gene in routine diagnostics.

"The findings of the Cologne researchers bring cancer medicine a big step forward," said the Minister of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, Isabel Pfeiffer-Poensgen.

"They provide improved risk prediction for all women and help identify, or even prevent, disease through early disease prevention."

And Prof. dr. Rita Schmutzler, Director of the Center for Breast and Ovarian Cancer at the University of Cologne, said: "By knowing the hereditary causes of breast cancer, it is possible to identify preventive drugs to prevent the onset of the disease." (Ad)