Genetic test 'to predict breast cancer'

A research team funded by the Breast Cancer Campaign in Britain are in the process of developing a blood test may have the potential to help women prevent and even fight the disease.

Dr James Flanagan from Imperial College London said: "We can use it (the blood test) to predict people's individual risk but on top of that it is also very interesting that we can potentially reverse these changes so therapies might be developed that can reverse somebody's risk of disease."

Scientists have found that one in five women have an epigenetic change in their white blood cells that significantly increase their chances of developing breast cancer in the future.

It is hoped that the development of a specific blood test will help women detect any such risks before the disease may strike or help women plan their approach to the disease.