THE INFLUENCE OF BRCA 1 AND BRCA 2 GENES IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND PROGNOSIS OF BREAST CARCINOMA

Abstract

Cancer is a cluster of more than 100 diseases, all of which have in common the unchecked cell growth that develops into a tumor and invades tissues and organs. Studies conducted on breast cancer are using innovative methods such as genetic mapping in order to assist its diagnosis and improve its prognosis. The technique of using tumor markers is new and of difficult access. The purpose is early detection and proper treatment to decrease morbimortality.Markers such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, hormone receptors (estrogen and progesterone receptors), c-erbB-2, cathepsin D, MIB-1, PCNA and p53 are being used for more detailed research in cancer diagnosis in general.  BRCA1 and BRCA2 are specifically used for breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer and they give a more accurate diagnosis of the presence or absence of such diseases.Despite public health policies, there still are late diagnoses due to the lack of access to image tests and, manly, to new diagnosis techniques such as using molecular markers. Therefore, acquiring more information regarding such recent techniques and carrying out new research to discover new markers are of the utmost importance in order for this scenario to become a reality increasingly present in diagnosing different types of cancer.