There is more than one reason for occurrence of breast cancer, one of the most deadly cancers. This breeds in breast tissues. A study into analyzing the conditions that lead to cancer was performed by a team of researchers from the University College of London, and their findings were published in the Nature Communication journal. They reveal role of DNA in breast tissue in determining the risk of the disease. The results could be a great advantage to those who would study the disease in future and assists in finding preventions against the disease.

The research involved analyzing DNA in almost 668 breast tissue samples of women with or without breast cancer. The finding showed it can be identified which woman is at higher risk of developing breast cancer, which can be done through early detection of epigenetic alterations. The epigenetic alterations being irreversible offer a hope that effect of such alteration can be tackled and preventions could be devised. The examination of epigenetic alterations could help in locating cancer-breeding cells. Their finding cautions women with severe enigmatic alterations.

The researchers have been working to find the risk factors linked to epigenetic changes in normal breast tissue and how these predispose a woman to cancer. “The application of these altered epigenetic signatures hold the key developing new interventions that could 'switch off' this epigenetic defect and hold the key to preventing cancer development, these new findings are important in supporting further research into women's cancer development and prevention," said Martin Widschwendter, head of the department of women's cancer at University College London.

Till now, the doctors were using genetic factors in determining the chances of breast cancer. However, the new study gives new insight, which would reduce the reliance on early methods of detection.