Study of Breast Cancer Risk May Impact Myriad Genetics

Implications: A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimated a lower risk of developing breast cancer by the age of 70 in women carrying mutations in one of two genes (BRAC1 and BRAC2).  This comes at the same time as Myriad Genetics (MYGN(NMS:MYGN)) is marketing their BRAC1/BRAC2 test.  Breast cancer is responsible for approximately 42,000 deaths in the US each year, second only to colon cancer.

Analysis: The Journal of the American Medical Association study estimates a 40-51% chance of developing breast cancer by age 70 for women having mutations to BRAC1/BRAC2 genes.  This is lower than previous estimates of 50-80%.  According to the study author, about 1/2 of 1%, or 750,000 women in the US carry the risky genes.Companies such as Myriad Genetics (MYGN(NMS:MYGN)), Genomic Health (GHDX(NMS:GHDX)) and Agendia offer tests for breast cancer.  Costs for these molecular diagnostics tests can be as high as $3,000.  The molecular diagnostics market is the fastest growing clinical diagnostics market segment.Detailed information on molecular diagnostics markets, companies, and developments are available.