Do Latinas Have a Lower Risk of Breast Cancer?

 New studies have been shown to indicate a new phenomenon in breast cancer. Hispanic females were found to have a genetic variant that lowered the risk of breast cancer in these females. Women who carry this gene were found to have less dense breast tissue than the average female. Dense tissue is a common characteristic found in those that are at a high risk for breast cancer. Dr. Elad Ziv, a research scientist conducting studies on this particular topic,also concluded that behavioral factors reduce the risk for breast cancer. These women are less likely to to utilize postmenopausal hormones. Genetic factors also play a large part in the level of risk of breast cancer. Chromosome six was found to have a specific protective variant , also known as a SNP, and the frequency at which it occured was monitored. Women who were shown to have a higher prevalence of the SNP also had a lower risk of the cancer.

If this type of genetic variant was identified and reproduced, it can be possible to reduce the risk of cancer in those of other nationalities. Dr. Ziv's research has provided revolutionary new findings in the search for a cure for cancer. If the density of tissue can be altered this could lower the risk of breast cancer nationwide.




Primary Source: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/20/genetic-variant-may-shield-latinas-from-breast-cancer/

Secondary Source: http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2014/10/119591/genetic-variant-protects-some-latina-women-breast-cancer

Genetic Variant in Latinas Shields Breast Cancer

A team at the University of California are working on an important study in the research of breast cancer. One in five Latinas in the United States carry a genetic variant that can possibly be the shield to breast cancer.

 

 The woman that carry this genetic variant appear to have less dense breast tissue seen in mammograms. The findings in this study may explain why Hispanics have less than ten percent lifetime risk of breast cancer and non-Hispanic white woman have a 13 percent lifetime risk. The team focused on chromosome 6 and found the protective genetic variant. This variant is known as a single nucleotide polymorphism. Woman who carry this genetic variant were forty percent less likely to have breast cancer, which is amazing. This research may lead the way to understanding breast cancer and ways to fight against breast cancer for woman who do not carry the gene.




Article: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/20/genetic-variant-may-shield-latinas-from-breast-cancer/?_r=0
Secondary Link: New Research On Breast Cancer Among Latinas