BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing a new, more accurate and less expensive

It is estimated that about 5% and 10% of breast cancers can be hereditary, caused by abnormal genes passed from mother to child.

Genes are particles in the cells contained in the chromosomes, made of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid DNA). DNA contains the instructions for building proteins. And proteins control the structure and function of the cells that make up the body.

And the majority of cases related to inherited breast cancer with two abnormal genes: BRCA1 (breast cancer gene one) and BRCA2 (Breast cancer gene two).

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Everyone has the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The function of the BRCA gene is to repair damaged cells and maintain the growth of normal breast cells. But when these genes contain abnormalities or mutations that are passed down from generation to generation, and genes do not function normally and increase the risk of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are abnormal constitute up to 10% of all breast cancers, or 1 in 10 cases.

The presence of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene is natural does not mean that you will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Researchers are learning that other mutations in a piece of chromosomes - can be linked to an increased risk of breast cancer in women with BRCA1 abnormal as well as women who have not inherited the abnormal gene breast cancer - called SNPs (polymorphisms single nucleotide).

Testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 abnormal is usually done on a blood sample taken at the doctor's office and was to a commercial laboratory. During testing, the genes from the rest of the DNA may be separated, and are then analyzed for anomalies.

At this time in the United States leads all company Myriad Genetics BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing. The results are reported in a month. The cost of the test ranges of BRCA from about $ 300 to $ 3,000, depending on whether genes which limited test in which they evaluated only a few regions of the gene or the complete test, in which they are examined hundreds of sites both.

A group of Canadian scientists has a new way of testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 seems abnormally developed accurate and cheaper than current methods.

The research was published in the September 12, 2012 issue of the The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics. Read the abstract of “Long-Range PCR and Next-Generation Sequencing of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in Breast Cancer.” 
The new process uses two techniques BRCA testing is relatively new - long-range PCR and next-generation sequencing - to screen the complete genomic region of both genes. In about 12 days - because this new test can screen for millions of DNA molecules at the same time, the results were reported more quickly and cost much less - about 170 - than the current test BRCA1 and BRCA2.

The researchers conducted their new method of BRCA testing in blood samples from 12 people with breast cancer, which she was diagnosed knew an abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. The researchers then compared the results of the new test with the results of the current test. The new test is abnormal areas found all the genes that made ​​the current test and multiple SNPs with breast cancer who were not associated with the current test identified.

Although this research is very exciting, it will be some time before these new BRCA1 and BRCA2 tests routinely available everywhere.

If you have been and / or a member of your family has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may interested in having genetic testing. You are much more likely to abnormal breast cancer gene, if have:

For more information on BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing, as well as other testing for other abnormal genes linked to breast cancer, visit the Genetics page in the Breastcancer.org Breast Cancer Risk Factors section.   
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