1 Answers

Breast cancer susceptibility genes: Inherited factors that predisposeto breast cancer. Put otherwise, these genes make one more susceptible to the disease andso increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Two of these genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2,have been identified (and prominently publicized). Several other genes (those for theLi-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden disease, Muir-Torre syndrome, and ataxia-telangiectasia) arealso known to predispose to breast cancer. However, since all of these known breast cancersusceptibility genes together do not account for more than a minor fraction (1/5that most) of breast cancer that clusters in families, it is clear that more breast cancergenes remain to be discovered.

4 views