Get Tested for the KRAS Gene

Yale Researchers, in August 2010 Cancer Research, reported discovering a new genetic marker for ovarian cancer which is present in 61% of women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer who were not positive for BRCA-1 or 2, the only known genetic markers until now. It was also present in these women's family members with cancer. The marker was present in 25% of all women with ovarian cancer, and was linked to an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer after menopause, as confirmed by two independent case-control analyses. The research findings strongly support the hypothesis that the KRAS-variant is a genetic marker for increased risk of developing ovarian cancer and suggest that the KRAS-variant may be a new genetic marker of cancer risk for HBOC families without other known genetic abnormalities. Why is this important? Because ovarian cancer usually doesn't get detected until it's too late. If you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, and you are negative for BRCA-1 or BRCA-2, testing positive for this marker means you should probably get screened more carefully for ovarian cancer. So, look for genetic testing soon for this marker.