Researchers discover new gene strongly linked to breast cancer.

Across the world, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and it has been estimated that 5-10% of all breast cancer cases are hereditary. In 2012, almost 1.7 million women were diagnosed with the disease, making up 12% of the reported cases of cancer. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most common causes of hereditary breast cancer. The risk of developing breast cancer with the BRCA1 mutation is 55-65% and the BRCA2 mutation is about 45%. Although other genes have been linked, it is estimated that only half of the gene mutations associated with breast cancer have been discovered. Now, Canadian researchers have linked mutations in a gene called RECQL with onset of breast cancer among Polish and French-Canadian women: 50% of women with RECQL mutation will develop breast cancer, says the article. 

The commonality of breast cancer really hits home with most people and that is why I feel like this is an important study to look at. There are only so many things that we can do for a person after a disease has fully developed, but if we discover all of the genes responsible, then maybe they can be stopped before the damage is already done.