Breast cancer gene test to predict risk of disease

THOUSANDS of women could be spared the trauma of breast removal by a breakthrough breast cancer test, it was revealed yesterday.

Experts at King's College London have discovered that not all women who carry the breast cancer gene are likely to get the disease.

Those with a family history of the condition face a choice between having their breasts removed or living with the risk of cancer.

But now doctors can use the gene test to predict a patient's chance of becoming ill. The findings were unveiled yesterday at a London conference organised by charity Breast Cancer Campaign.

Dr Jo Morris, who led the work at King's College, said the discovery brought hope to many women, as those with mutated genes would know if preventative breast removal was required.