Breast & prostate cancer linked by same gene

By Brandie Umar - Executive Director of Content | June 25th, 2010

Cancer Research UK has concluded that hereditary breast cancer and prostate cancer develop due to the same faulty gene.

The BRCA2 gene helps repair damaged DNA; if the gene is faulty, there is an increased risk of developing breast and prostate cancers. BRCA2 was identified years before as a factor in hereditory breast cancer however the latest research is the first time a link has been found between it and prostate cancer.

The researchers say this is an important discovery which could help produce more effective treatment to treat prostate cancer. In recent years, studies have been conducted into the use of PARP inhibitors to treat hereditory breast cancers with successful results. PARP inhibitors work by blocking (inhibiting) the protein that helps the defective genes from 'repairing' themselves and multiplying into cancerous tumours.

Trials of PARP inhibitors have proved effective at improving breast cancer treatments and researchers are confident having identified the link between prostate and breast cancer genes will help apply the same formula to prostate cancer treatment.

Source :

Cancer Research UK