University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada researchers completed a study
that concludes radiation exposure during mammography tests does not increase the risk of breast cancer in women with
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, even when screening begins at an early age. Radiation exposure can damage DNA. BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations can prevent DNA from repairing the damage. So, it was feared that any additional radiation exposure to women who carry the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation were being put in harm's way by having mammograms. The researchers say it isn't so. However, even though the study conclusions report no heightened cancer risk for women with the BRCA gene mutations and mammograms, research into this will continue, to confirm the initial findings of this study.
