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Inherited predisposition and breast cancer: Modifiers of BRCA1/2 ‐associated breast cancer risk
Author(s) -
Rebbeck Timothy R.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
environmental and molecular mutagenesis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1098-2280
pISSN - 0893-6692
DOI - 10.1002/em.10050
Subject(s) - breast cancer , ovarian cancer , germline mutation , cancer , mutation , biology , genetics , germline , oncology , gene , medicine
Germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 ( BRCA1/2 ) genes explain a substantial proportion of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Women who have inherited a mutation in one of these genes are at increased risk to develop breast and/or ovarian cancer, although there is variability in the manifestation of tumors by age and site. This variability may be explained, in part, by the BRCA1/2 mutation type or location. However, it is also possible that risk‐modifying factors exist that explain interindividual variability in cancer risk. These factors include genes at other loci and endogenous or exogenous exposures. A more complete understanding of factors that modify cancer risk in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers may help to refine estimates of cancer risk. A number of exposures, including reproductive history and exogenous hormone use, have been implicated as BRCA1/2 ‐associated cancer risk modifiers. Similarly, genes involved in hormone metabolism, including the AIB1 and AR genes, have been linked with altered breast cancer risk. Therefore, although germline BRCA1/2 mutations raise a woman's breast and ovarian cancer risk, other factors may interact with BRCA1/2 mutations to modulate this risk. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 39:228–234, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.