Women ’s Health Breast Cancer, O varian Cancer and G enetic Predisposition Dr Stephen Withers, Clinical Geneticist, shares his insight into this pressing issue. The move by Angelina Jolie to go public with her decision regarding risk reduction breast surgery has promoted wider interest in the genetics of breast cancer. The risk for women in Australia to develop breast cancer is approximately 1 in 11 (nine percent). Of these women who do develop breast cancer only five percent carry an inheritable predisposition. Whilst the key genes which predispose to a risk for breast cancer and ovarian are the BRCA genes, it must be remembered there are other genes linking breast cancer with other forms of cancer, for example breast cancer and osteosarcoma (Li-Fraumeni syndrome). Whilst the BRCA genes confer a lifetime risk for pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 41
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Three
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