After assessing 77 genes, an international team of researchers has predicted the risk of developing breast cancer among women. The researchers looked for small errors and other markers in the DNAs of women.

The research findings published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute said that at an individual level, they posed reduced risk to lead to cancer, but in union they acted as a powerful combination.

The findings can prove useful and has the potential to transform screening, preventive treatments and HRT. The research team being led by the Institute of Cancer Research in London and the University of Cambridge studied the parts of the genetic code that have little effect, but will definitely have an impact on woman's chance of cancer.

The researchers said that out of the 77 cancer-risk sites in the DNA inherited from mother and the 77 from the father, an average woman has 66 of them. This factor allowed the researchers to calculate the chances of women to develop breast cancer.

"Women having no family history of breast cancer, the highest-risk group had a 1 6.6% lifetime risk." Among women with no family history of breast cancer, the lowest-risk group had a 5.2% lifetime risk. "

Women having a family history of breast cancer, the highest-risk group had a 24.4% lifetime risk. In women with a family history of breast cancer, the lowest risk group had an 8.2% lifetime risk.

Prof Montserrat Garcia-Closas, of the Institute of Cancer Research, said, "The discovery of these variants has progressed very quickly in the last five years and I think it's reaching a plateau. And at that point it's time to start designing a genetic test that includes all these elements".

Women having the lowest risk may not require breast cancer screening. But women having the highest risk may need regular screening.