DNA testing to predict and diagnose breast cancer

Genetic testing, which is also known as the test based on DNA is the most powerful technique used to test detection of breast cancer. It involves direct examination of the DNA molecule itself.
By using a molecular diagnostic test for determining whether a breast tumor respond to chemotherapy, the doctor's need to identify more precisely patients who can be adequately treated with hormonal therapy alone and which patients will truly benefit if chemotherapy is added to the treatment. With better individualized treatment, we can spare women the side effects of chemotherapy where it is unnecessary.

Breast cancer, like most other cancers, develops when changes occur in genes in the cells of the breast. In this sense, all breast cancer has a genetic component. But "genetic" is not hereditary. It is estimated that only 5% to 10% of all cases of hereditary breast cancer result from a genetic predisposition to the disease. In other words, more than 90% of all cases of breast cancer result from factors that are not inherited, and, in many cases, are not known.

So far, researchers have discovered two genes linked to breast cancer marked BRCA1 and BRCA2-that everyone inherits two: one from our mother and one from our father. When functioning normally, they are supposed to stop the growth of cancer cells in the breast. When these two genes in a pair are damaged, they don't work properly and cancer can develop. People who inherit a damaged BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene from only one parent are at greater risk of developing breast cancer than people who inherit two normal genes. Studies

can estimate the risk among a large number of people who have inherited a mutation, but not increase the risk for any individual woman. Women with a BRCA mutation have about 33% to 50% risk of developing cancer by age 50, and from 56% to 87% risk of the age of 70. Most research focuses on women with a strong family history of breast cancer or ovarian (several female relatives, on the one hand, which had breast and / or ovarian cancer before the age 40 years, cancer in both breasts, and / or cases of male breast cancer).

By being able to identify these genes through particular markers associated with genetics, doctors will know which individuals are more susceptible to cancer and can therefore follow the correct procedure. The earlier the doctor can diagnose cancer, the most effective treatment will be.
Scientists warn, however, that even if they have discovered a gene associated with breast cancer, there is still no cure available. They managed to identify the gene, but currently there is no way to "fix" the gene.
The recent isolation of the BRCA-1 gene has prompted investigators to identify other genes that may contribute to breast cancer, ovarian cancer and breast, ovarian cancer syndrome.