A genome-wide linkage study of mammographic density, a risk factor for breast cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Mammographic breast density is a highly heritable (h2 > 0.6) and strong risk factor for breast cancer. We conducted a genome-wide linkage study to identify loci influencing mammographic breast density (MD).

Methods

Epidemiological data were assembled on 1,415 families from the Australia, Northern California and Ontario sites of the Breast Cancer Family Registry, and additional families recruited in Australia and Ontario. Families consisted of sister pairs with age-matched mammograms and data on factors known to influence MD. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was performed on 3,952 individuals using the Illumina Infinium 6K linkage panel.

Results

Using a variance components method, genome-wide linkage analysis was performed using quantitative

SUBMITTER: Greenwood CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3326574 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature