Manchester,UK (PRWEB UK) 11 June 2012

Whilst still under development, the possibility that a simple blood test could be developed to determine the chance of breast cancer is a realistic prospect. The test looks for how genes are altered by environmental factors like alcohol and hormones – a process known as epigenetics.

One in five women are thought to have such a genetic “switch” that doubles breast cancer risk.

The scientists from Imperial College London analysed blood samples from 1,380 women of various ages, 640 of whom went on to develop breast cancer.

And they found a strong link between breast cancer risk and molecular modification of a single gene called ATM, which is found on white blood cells. A recent related announcement was made by the science publication Nature stating that pancreatic cancer may be able to be ?turned off? by the use of gene therapy. Two significant advances in the detection and treatment of common cancers in as many months.

Commenting on the recent announcements Lester Barr Consultant Breast Surgeon stated ?It is essential that women who are concerned about their risk of breast cancer do not become complacent and think that this test will conclusively predict their risk of developing the disease. The findings from Imperial College are important and indeed, very positive, but further work is necessary to determine how such changes in the ATM gene link in with other known risk factors.”

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