Approximately 43,000 women are afflicted with breast cancer every year in Germany.
Breast cancer is the predominant type of cancer in women.
By using an animal model this group has now elucidated the mechanism underlying hereditary breast cancer. The results of their studies with genetically modified mice will be reported in the May issue the scientific journal Nature Genetics. It has been known for some time that mutations within the BRCA-1 gene play an essential role in the generation of breast cancer and a variety of other cancer types. In its normal state this gene carries out important functions within the cell. What was not known so far was an explanation for the occurrence of tumours when the gene ceases to function.