Gene That Protects From Breast Cancer Discovered

Genetic variant that reduces the risk of breast cancer was identified in 13% of the study participants of European heritage.

An international group of scientists conducted a study that encompassed 33 thousand women. Women with a certain type of gene mutation called CASP8 turned out to have 10% less of a chance of falling victim to this type of cancer than other participants in the study.

In an article published in Nature Genetics, scientists also point out that this is the first time that a genetic variant was discovered that reduces the risk of developing breast cancer.

Several genetic mutations were previously known in the medicine world that, along with increasing one's chances of getting cancer, also led to other types of cancer.

CASP8 works in such a way that it helps the damaged cells self-destruct before they start spreading uncontrollably.

Around 10 percent of breast cancer cases are caused by hereditary genetic mutations, reports Yahoo News.