MEDFORD, Ore. -- Some of the genetic causes of breast cancer just became more clear. Researchers from 300 institutions around the world combined forces and discovered 65 new gene mutations that can lead to the development of breast cancer.
Two studies describing the research were published today in the journals, Nature and Nature Genetics. The new discoveries add to previous research and brings the total number of known genetic patterns associated with breast cancer to nearly 180.
One of the study's authors say women with the newly-discovered mutations face a 5-10% higher risk of developing breast cancer. Another study author says a small number of women who have several of these smaller genetic mutations could face 3 times the risk.
