31 Days, 31 Things You Didn't Know About Breast Cancer

To date, most inherited cases of breast cancer have been associated with two genes: BRCA1 (BReast CAncer gene one) or BRCA2 (BReast CAncer gene two). The function of these genes is to keep breast cells growing normally and to prevent any cancer cell growth.

But when these genes contain abnormalities or mutations, they are associated with an increased breast cancer risk. Abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes may account for up to 10% of all breast cancers.