• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Breast and ovarian cancer gene mutation linked to UK islands

Home> News

Published 16:43 17 Mar 2023 GMT

Breast and ovarian cancer gene mutation linked to UK islands

Researchers spotted the gene variant repeatedly in women from the islands with the cancers, and there are now plans to test locals

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

A gene mutation that increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer has been linked with Orkney.

One in a hundred people with grandparents from the islands, off the northeastern coast of Scotland, have the variant in the gene BRCA1.

Researchers spotted the mutation repeatedly in women from Orkney with the cancers, and clinical genealogy proved that patients with the variant had family roots tracing back to the island of Westray.

People with grandparents from the island will be tested.
Kay Roxby / Alamy Stock Photo

Advert

It is likely to have come from a founder individual from the island at least 250 years ago, a paper published in the European Journal of Human Genetics said.

Planning is now under way for a trial scheme which will offer testing for the gene variant to anyone living on the small Scottish island with a Westray-born grandparent.

If the pilot is successful, the long-term aim is to offer a test to everyone in Scotland with a Westray-born grandparent.

Professor Zosia Miedzybrodzka, director of NHS North of Scotland Genetic Service, said: "Developing cancer is not solely down to carrying the BRCA1 variant alone.

Advert

"There are many complex factors, and some people with gene alterations will not get cancer.

"However, we know that testing and the right follow-up can save lives."

Everyone has the BRCA genes, but not everyone has mutations in them.

Prof Miedzybrodzka explained that because it is hereditary, the gene variant could affect multiple members of families.

Advert

"Risk-reducing surgery, breast screening with MRI from age 30, and lifestyle advice can all improve health for women with the gene," she said.

"Men do not need to take any particular action for themselves, but they can pass the gene onto female descendants."

Angelina Jolie underwent a double mastectomy in 2013 after she discovered she carried a faulty copy of the BRCA1, leading to the greater awareness of the gene defect.

Jolie has a double mastectomy in 2013.
Abaca Press / Alamy Stock Photo

Advert

She lost her mother to ovarian cancer, and carrying the faulty gene put her at very high risk of getting both forms of the disease.

Around one in 1,000 women across the UK have a BRCA1 variant, but most breast and ovarian cancers happen due to chance damage to genes.

More than 2,000 volunteers took part in the research and gave genetic data to Orkney Complex Disease Study, known as Orcades.

It is part of the Viking Genes project, which aims to discoverer the genes and variants that influence the risk of disease.

Featured Image Credit: Pexels / Alamy

Topics: News, Science, Health

Jake Massey
Jake Massey

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
  • Getty stock images
    an hour ago

    NASA confirms Earth now has two moons that will last until 2083

    The moon is much smaller than we're used to seeing

    News
  • Getty Stock Image
    an hour ago

    New study reveals unexpected health benefit from weight loss drugs that could help millions

    A scientific study has revealed that GLP-1 drugs could be helping aid more than just weight loss

    News
  • Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Donald Trump thanks 'Darth Vader' at recent conference and the audience's 'awkward' reaction says it all

    No, Trump wasn't talking about the actual fictional villain, but one of his White House staff members

    News
  • Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Donald Trump slammed for 'mansplaining' to female journalist in heated moment

    The Republican leader has divided opinion with how he answered a question about Ukraine and Russia on Monday (20 October)

    News
  • Woman diagnosed with rare cancer that doctors say is linked to her breast implants
  • Popular diet linked to cancer on rise in Gen Z and Millennials
  • Common ingredient found in energy drinks has been linked to blood cancer risk
  • What Stage 0 breast cancer means after actress Wanda Sykes reveals diagnosis