An extensive collaboration between hundreds of scientists all around the globe led to monumental discoveries. Thanks to their conjoint efforts, the world is now aware of 72 additional genetic variants that are responsible for increased risks of breast cancer. The new promotors have almost double the collection of genetic agents known to scientists.
The Study Pooled Data Together from 275,000 Women
The new study has been described as the largest collective study in the world. They updated the world of healthcare with 72 new leads for research. Thanks to the identification of new breast cancer promotors, scientists can create more accurate detection methods and even more effective treatments.
The genetics study involved 300 research groups worldwide. The entire multinational community pooled together data on 275,000 women that may have a connection to breast cancer or not. The joint teams found that 65 new genetic variants usually appear in those women who are already diagnosed with this type of cancer.
The other seven mutations were found in women who have high chances to develop such a disease. More importantly, these markers are common to a certain type of cancer known as estrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer. This kind is immune to hormonal therapies such as the drug tamoxifen.
After the new genetics study entered the scientific medium, the total number of identified variants connected to breast cancer reached almost 180.
Each of the 75 New Promotors Can Increase Breast Cancer Risky by 5 to 10%
The 550-member team acted under the guidance of professor Doug Easton of the University of Cambridge. Easton explained that researchers ran tests on blood samples from around 275,000 women. However, only half of them had breast cancer. Afterwards, the teams analyzed the DNA in the search for conspicuous mutations.
Thanks to the amplitude of the study, the findings underscore clear differences between healthy and diagnosed women. Therefore, there was no space left to chance. Each of the new promotors increases the risk of developing breast cancer by 5 to 10%. However, they never work alone, and they can combine their effects with each other.
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