Damaged PALB2 Gene can Cause Breast Cancer

British researchers have found a new gene that is linked to breast cancer risk. It is called PALB2. Scientists at Institute of Cancer Research published their findings in Nature Genetics. When undamaged, PALB2 genes will repair mutant DNA, but when damaged, it can cause other genetic disorders and may lead to cancer. Breast cancer has usually been associated with the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2. If a women has a damaged PALB2 gene, it doubles her risk of developing breast cancer.

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