Is the New ‘Breast Cancer Gene’ Another Scheme to Scare Women into Having Mastectomies?
By Susanne Posel
Researchers from Cambridge University (CU) have published a studyclaiming that a “rare mutation in the gene known as PALB2 had a 35% chance of developing breast cancer by the time they turned 70.”
This summation was created from surveys given to participants in 8 nations. The data was cross referenced with statistics on breast cancer rates of 154 families who do not have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. Included in the study were 362 families who have the PALB2 gene mutation.
However the claim that those with PALB2 do not have the BRCA2 mutation is physiologically incorrect.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) PALB2 gene is a “partner and localizer” of the BRCA2 gene. Indeed, the PALB2 gene “provides instructions for making a protein called partner and localizer of BRCA2” by working with the BRCA2 gene to “mend broken strands of DNA, which prevents cells from accumulating genetic damage that can trigger them to divide uncontrollably.”
Marc Tischkowitz, researcher with the Cambridge Department of Medical Genetics (CDMG) commented : Since the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were discovered in the mid-90s, no other genes of similar importance have been found and the consensus in the scientific community [is] if more exist we would have found them by now.”
Tischkowitz added: “PALB2 is a potential candidate to be ‘BRCA3. As mutations in this gene are uncommon, obtaining accurate risk figures is only possible through large international collaborations like this.”
William Foulkes, co-author of the study and director of the director of the Program in Cancer Genetics (PCG) at McGill University (MGU) Center for Translational Research in Cancer (CTRC) claims that “a woman with a strong family history of breast cancer, they may want to find out if they have this mutation.”
Counter to this study are facts about BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that do not fit the findings and scenario proposed by the authors.
Stated on the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) website concerning the BRCA 1 & 2 genes, “Not all gene changes, or mutations, are deleterious (harmful). Some mutations may be beneficial, whereas others may have no obvious effect (neutral).”
Further, the NCI clearly explains: “Not every woman in such families carries a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, and not every cancer in such families is linked to a harmful mutation in one of these genes. Furthermore, not every woman who has a harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation will develop breast and/or ovarian cancer.”
Dr. C.k. Naidu, senior surgical oncologist at the Basvatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Centre explained that “only 5 to 6 per cent of breast cancers were linked to genetic factors and 95 per cent had no genetic causes.”
Most recently, published a study produced by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) showed how birth control pills “increase the risk of breast cancer” because of the “formulation of the pill”.
Synthetic versions of estrogen and progesterone are present in traditionally manufactured “combined” oral contraceptives while the “minipill” is made up of progestin (another synthetic version of progesterone).
These oral contraceptives have the same effect as naturally occurring estrogen and progesterone in that they have been shown to cause breast cancer.
It was concluded that “recent use of certain oral contraceptives increased breast cancer risk by 50%” based on data from “use of oral contraceptive pills among 1,102 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer between 1990 and 2009, alongside 21,952 healthy controls.”
The researchers wrote: “Our results suggest that recent use of contemporary oral contraceptives is associated with an increased breast cancer risk, which may vary by formulation. If confirmed, consideration of the breast cancer risk associated with different oral contraceptive types could impact discussions weighing recognized health benefits and potential risks.”
A study out of the Washington State University (WSU) determined that pesticide methoxychlor as a direct causation to the development of diseases and cancers affecting the kidneys, breasts, ovaries and metabolic complications over generations.
Methoxychlor is an endocrhine disruptor such as BPA and has an established high toxicity and bioaccumulation in the body.
In animals, methoxychlor has been shown to disrupt estrogenic development before and after birth in both males and females.
One study showed that methoxychlor caused leukemia to develop in humans.
Methoxychlor enters into the placenta, affecting the fetus in utero and has been detected in the mother’s milk.