To the Editor: In their perspective article, Winship and Tucker highlight the possibility of preventing genetic breast cancer, a triumph of modern medicine.1 However less than 5% of breast cancer is caused by genetic mutation.2 The vast majority of breast cancers are not genetic.
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- 1. Winship IM, Tucker K. The utility of genetics in inherited cancer. Med J Aust 2013; 199: 644. <MJA full text>
- 2. Cancer Australia. Clinical best practice. Breast cancer. Familial risk assessment FRA-BOC. http://canceraustralia.gov.au/clinical-best-practice/gynaecological-cancers/familial-risk-assessment-fra-boc (accessed Nov 2013).
- 3. Coyle YM. Lifestyle, genes, and cancer. In: Verma M, editor. Cancer epidemiology. Vol. 2: modifiable factors. Toolwa, NJ: Humana Press, 2009: 25-56.
- 4. Gaudet MM, Gapstur SM, Sun J, et al. Active smoking and breast cancer risk: original cohort data and meta-analysis. J Natl Cancer Inst 2013; 105: 515-525.
- 5. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Breast cancer. In: Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice. 8th ed. http://www.racgp.org.au/your-practice/guidelines/redbook/early-detection-of-cancers/breast-cancer (accessed Nov 2013).
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