Friday, November 21, 2014

Latinas and Breast Cancer

Studies are uncovering new links from genes to cancer every day. Recently, geneticists unveiled that there may be a new link between a genetic variant, popularly found among Latina women, and breast cancer. One out of five Latina women in America carry the variant gene and about 1% carry two copies of the gene. While the real purpose of the gene is unknown, it was found that women who possessed the gene had less dense breast tissue as was shown from their mammograms. Dense breast tissue can often lead to breast cancer in women. This breast tissue correlation leads scientists to believe that the gene may have something to do with the production of estrogen receptors. According to Marc Hurlbert, the executive director of the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade, it is very important for them to discover what the gene actually does because it could lead to possible treatments for those who already have breast cancer.



In America, Latinas have the lowest risk for breast cancer when compared to African Americans and non-Hispanic whites. There are behavioral patterns that could also reduce the risk of breast cancer. Not using postmenopausal hormones and having more children at a younger age are both practiced by many Latina women and also reduce one’s risk for breast cancer. It is known now that there is also a genetic variant. After much research and looking at many genomes of breast cancer patients, geneticists discovered the location of the gene on the chromosome. On chromosome 6, a little SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) was found to be the protective variant. Scientists were able to track the gene, not only to its location on genome, but to its indigenous ancestry. The gene could be found in 15% of Mexico, 10% in Columbia, and 5% in Puerto Rico, while its frequency was only found to be 1% in whites and blacks and about 2% of Chinese.

I find it really interesting that one simple gene could track itself through a nationality and have almost a direct correlation with breast cancer. Now that the gene has been located on chromosome 6, it might be able to be isolated and perhaps even put into use for the fight against breast cancer. It is understood that this gene does not mean the ultimate end to breast cancer. Dr. Otis W. Brawley reminds us of that saying, “…keep in mind that some women with this variant still get breast cancer.” What Dr. Brawley says next that perhaps this is because they have something that is cancelling this out. I would find it very interesting to look deeper into this possibility and see if there is in fact another gene that is inhibiting the SNP found on chromosome 6. Dr. Brawley also gives us hope saying, “I’m confident that this finding is going to hold, that most women who have this genetic variant are at lower risk for breast cancer.” I believe it would be amazing if this little SNP could be used to help so many people suffering from this terrible cancer.



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