Genetic factors linking calcium and breast cancer’s growth and spread

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. These tumors often spread to the bone. Substances produced by the tumor break down bone. This causes an increase in calcium levels in the blood. This calcium increase can sometimes be the first sign of the cancer. Studies have linked bone diseases to changes in a protein that keeps the amount of calcium in the body in balance. Slight changes (variants) in the gene for this protein can cause increased calcium levels in the blood. High calcium levels can cause cancer cells to grow and spread more quickly. We do not yet know how these changes may affect breast cancer. This project will study the link between these gene variants, calcium levels and breast cancer progression. The researchers will look for these variants in the BioVU DNA samples from breast cancer patients. They will then look at their medical records and lab tests. They hope to see if women with these variants have higher calcium levels. They will also be able to see if the cancer in these patients grew or spread faster than in women without the variants. The results may help us predict whose breast cancer may grow or spread faster. The findings can also help guide doctors in how they treat these cancers.