Molecular Markers for Predicting Risk of Developing Breast Cancer in Different Ethnicities

Evidence suggests that, besides reduced access to care, the increase in breast cancer incidence and mortality in AA (African American) compared to EA (European American or Caucasian) women is influenced by the biology of the tumor. Gene methylation changes caused by environmental factors starting at birth is one mechanism through which genetic and non-genetic factors could affect development of breast cancer and which could underlie disparities in aggressiveness. The investigators were the first to show that a panel of genes was hypermethylated specifically in AA-ER-negative tumors in young women in comparison to EA-tumors in women of the same age. Gene promoter methylation is found at low levels in healthy breast tissues from women without cancer. Race and family history of cancer increase the likelihood of these early events. Thus, epigenetic changes may be early events in transformation of breast cells and tumor formation.

This study will enroll women from different ethnic backgrounds undergoing mastectomy in order to collect normal and tumor tissue to study these genetic changes and breast cancer risk.