Cancer Causing Gene Mutation Prevalent Among Hispanic Women

December 25, 2007 6:52 p.m. EST

Chicago, IL (AHN) - A new study links cancer-causing mutations in certain genes to ethnicity. According to an article in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, Hispanic women have greater chances to have a cancer-causing mutation than females of other racial or ethnic groups.

The study is a good guide for the medical community to use genetic testing to determine who has greater risks in developing breast cancer and help the involved women prevent it.

Dr. Powel Brown from the Baylor College of Medicine's breast cancer genetic clinic, said, "This is brand-new and very important in understanding the different racial groups in terms of their risk of breast cancer."

According to the research, mutations on the gene BRCA1 were found among 3.5 percent of Hispanic women, the highest among the study group. Among white patients, only 2.2 percent had the gene mutation, while it was only 1.3 percent among non-Hispanic black patients and 0.5 percent among Asians.

Mutations are actually rare in BRCA1 and BRCA2, another gene associated with ovarian and breast cancer. Among breast cancer cases, 20 percent have links to genetics, while less than 10 percent are tied up with mutations in those genes.

Esther John, lead author of the study and an epidemiologist, explained, "If women have a mutation, they do have a very high risk of developing breast cancer. That's why it is important information in the family, because if a mother has the mutation, her daughters are likely to have the mutation as well."

Previous studies done on gene mutation among women with breast cancer indicated Ashkenazi female Jews have an 8.3 percent prevalence rate.

For women with a family history of breast cancer, genetic testing is recommended. But minorities are less likely to undergo the expensive procedure, which costs $3,000 for two mutations testing.

Preventive steps include frequent mammograms, a prophylactic mastectomy or preventive removal of one or both breasts.

The study involved 549 non-Hispanic white female patients with breast cancer, 444 Asian Americans, 393 Hispanics and 341 non-Hispanic blacks.