Genetic Basis of Breast Cancer
498-502
Correspondence
Dr. R.S. Khane
‘Paras,’ A-5 Bunglow, Evergreen Homes,
Nagala Park, Kolhapur.
Phone: 9890045256
E-mail: rupalikhane@gmail.com
Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in women worldwide. Today, there is no woman in the world who is at a truly low risk of developing the disease. In India, the growing epidemic of breast cancer presents a major challenge to the global public health, especially, given the failure to cope with the current situation. The burden of breast cancer will continue to increase, not only in terms of the absolute number of cases, but also in terms of its incidence. It has long been observed that 5 to 10% of the breast cancers are the result of an inherited familial predisposition. So, the precise knowledge of the underlying genetic processes is useful for the early detection and prevention of breast cancer. As mammography will be difficult to be implemented in India for various reasons and also because of its complex nature and high cost, genetic testing is not presently routinely available in India. So, efforts should be made to detect breast cancer at an early stage by educating the people about the risk factors and screening methods like Breast Self Examination, because late stage presentation is the main problem in India, which leads to a poorer prognosis. In this review, the risk factors for the development of breast cancer, the role of various genes in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, the possible options for high risk women and the socio-cultural issues regarding breast cancer have been outlined.