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Understanding the role of the BRCA genes in breast cancer

The cause of most breast cancer is still unknown, but is most likely due to a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle risk factors.
The two genes most commonly involved are called BRCA1 and BRCA2 and we know that people with BRCA mutations are at a significantly greater risk of developing the
disease.
Faulty genes, which can be passed on from mothers to daughters, probably cause only 5 -10% of breast cancers. The two genes most commonly involved are called BRCA1 and BRCA2 and we know that people with BRCA mutations are at a significantly greater risk of developing the disease.

It is now known that the BRCA genes are involved in the repair of DNA. In breast cancer cells, these genes do not function and leave the cell prone to accumulating genetic errors, and therefore prone to becoming cancerous.



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