Originally published in February 2003 icon
The density of breast tissue, a woman’s age and her BRCA1/2 status are the three main factors in breast cancer. But the New England Medical Journal 2002; 347; 886-94, reported that genetic factors were the largest influencers of breast tissue density. This may be because the genes heighten oestrogen production or make the breast tissue more sensitive to oestrogen. Either way identifying the genes is hoped to provide clues to the causes of breast cancer.