ANSWER: Ki67
Explanation:
- Researchers found that the women were five times as likely to develop cancer if they had a higher percentage of Ki67, a molecular marker that identifies proliferating cells, in the cells that line the mammary ducts and milk-producing lobules.
- These cells, called the mammary epithelium, undergo drastic changes throughout a woman's life, and the majority of breast cancers originate in these tissues.
- The study builds on previous research finding that women already identified as having a high risk of developing cancer namely those with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, or women who did not give birth in before their 30s - had a higher number of mammary gland progenitor cells.
- Doctors already test breast tumours for Ki67 levels, which can inform decisions about treatment, but this is the first time scientists have been able to link Ki67 to precancerous tissue and use it as a predictive tool.
- Instead of only telling women that they do not have cancer, hospitals could test the biopsies and tell women if they were at high risk or low risk for developing breast cancer in the future.
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