New findings help determine breast cancer risk

Australian scientists have discovered a link between breast cancer and solid breast tissue cells, which could help identify women at high risk for breast cancer.

Scientists at the University of Melbourne have for the first time discovered two gene variants associated with breast cancer, but also affect breast cell density after studying mammograms of more than 2,000 women and DNA from blood samples.

This study, published in the Journal of Cancer Research, may also help explain the biological causes of breast cancer and assist in the process of finding a cure.

According to Professor John Hopper of the Department of Public Health, this is the beginning of a new study focused on determining how breast cancer begins as well as the role of mammograms in the breast.

Breast cancer is a common fatal disease in Australian women. It is estimated that one in 11 women is diagnosed with breast cancer before age 75./.