Interaction between genetic and hormonal factors in breast cancer

The association between risk of breast cancer and familial risk is well doc umented. The first observation was described by Paul Broca around 1850 from his own family. Germinal mutations have been estimated to account for 5 to 10% of breast cancer cases. However, some questions remains unclear in thi s context of a multifactorial disease. Even if the rise in breast cancer risk associated with BRCAx mutations is w ell established, the place of a genetic factor among other factors risk of breast cancer remains unclear. The interaction between genetic, environment al and hormonal factors is an important problem. More particularly the effe ct of oral contraceptives and hormonal replacement therapy in women with or without hereditary susceptibility of breast cancer needs to be addressed.