UCSF Study Finds That Hispanic Women Are Protected From Breast Cancer

Las Vegas, NV, October 21, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Women of Latin American descent are believed to be protected from the fatal disease of breast cancer. Ethnic biology of cancer researchers from the University of California, San Francisco released their study findings on Oct. 20. After testing numerous women, it was found that Hispanic women are the least likely to develop breast cancer. Not only that, but Hispanic women that do have breast cancer are least likely to die from it compared to women or European or African-American decent.

The science found that it was just a single difference in their DNA that makes Latina women 40 percent less likely to develop breast cancer. If a woman inherited the specific DNA variation from both sides of her family, she would be 80 percent less likely to develop it.

The women who carry this variant in their DNA had less dense breast tissue. A high density of breast tissue is a known factor in developing the cancer.

The difference in DNA is located on chromosome 6. Scientists found that it originated in South America so doesn’t appear equally in all Hispanic women. About 20 percent of Latina women living in California are likely to have this difference, but only 10 percent of women in Puerto Rico will have it.

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death among women in the US. For more information about this disease and prevention methods, contact Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging at 702.732.6000. Visit the website at www.sdmi-lv.com or in-person at one of their six locations.