Family History of Breast Cancer Might Lead to Earlier Diagnosis

A new study conducted by a group of American researchers suggests that women who have a family history of breast and ovarian cancers are being diagnosed with the conditions earlier than their ancestors. Researchers from the University of Texas conducted the study on 132 women suffering from breast or ovarian cancers, with 106 of them having at least one older relative who also had the disease.

The researchers found that while the average age of diagnosis among the older relatives was 48, the average age of diagnosis among the current generation was 42 years.

The researchers also found that the average age of onset of the disease fell by 7.9 years from the older to younger generations. Commenting on the study, The Cancer Institute’s, NSW, Sanchia Arunda said, “The key message to take out of this is the earlier you can diagnose breast or ovarian cancer the more likely you are to survive”. The study has been published in the online edition of the journal Cancer.


Source-Medindia