Genes to help predict breast cancer

We don’t know why most women get breast cancer. Changes in many genes may combine to increase the risk of breast cancer. Studies have found many gene changes linked with breast cancer. Some of these genes are involved in how the body makes or uses estrogen, the “female” hormone. Others are members of “growth factor signaling” pathways. These pathways control the growth of cells in the body. In this study, researchers are focusing on genes of these important pathways. They will look at DNA samples from BioVU to see if women with breast cancer have gene changes in these pathways. The researchers hope to find gene changes that will predict which women are most likely to get breast cancer. This would help doctors to know which women may need mammograms more often. These gene changes may also tell us who would be most likely to benefit from early treatment.