Breast cancer
gene may affect men too

A genetic mutation previously linked to the development of breast cancer in women may also be responsible for some cancers in men, according to a report published on Thursday. The BRAC2 gene mutation, which has been linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers, has now been found to greatly raise the risk of pancreatic and prostate cancers in men, according to the Journal of Medical Ethics.

The Dutch researchers who conducted the study also speculated that there might be a connection between the mutated gene and an increased risk of bone and throat cancers.

They found that carriers of the mutated gene were seven times more likely to have pharyngeal cancer and eight times more likely to have pancreatic cancer than the general population. Male carriers were more than twice as likely to have prostate cancer.

As nearly half of the men with prostate cancer had died, the researchers suggested that early and radical treatment should be offered to men carrying the mutated gene rather than the current practice of simply watching and waiting. (Reuters)