Mapping and identification of novel breast cancer susceptibility genes [ 2000 - 2002 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Graham Mann (Principal investigator)

Brief description Breast cancer is one of Australia?s major cancer problems, but we still do not fully understand why certain people are at higher risk of the disease than others. In recent years two genes have been shown to be abnormal in a small number of people with strong family history of breast cancer and-or ovarian cancer. This study will search for the identity of other genes of this kind. It will take advantage of a large network of researchers which has been working to recruit women with a strong family history of breast cancer from around Australia over the last two years. In this short time such large numbers of women have come forward that a study of this kind will be among the largest in the world. The results of this research, in terms of location of possible new genes causing high risk of breast cancer, will be shared with other researchers in Europe and the US who are working toward the same goals. This will ensure that progress is as rapid as possible. Based on experience with the two previously discovered breast cancer genes, this research will also shed light on the types of changes that drive the malignancy of breast cancer cells. It will have implications for improved prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Funding Amount $AUD 354,419.98

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant