IVF Test May Stop Breast Cancers

Women receiving fertility treatment may be given the opportunity to screen out mutant genes which can cause breast cancers from their embryos. If the procedure wins official approval and patient support, it may be available within six months.

A new technique is currently being trialled. It was initially used to test for conditions such as cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and haemophilia.

The tests are being developed at University College, London using a single cell from a newly fertilised egg. If that cell contains genetic mutations, it is discarded. A different embryo which has been checked and is clear will be implanted instead. UCL believe that they can identify two genetic defects, which increase the risks of developing breast cancers by eighty per cent. Although the test has been developed for use in other conditions, it has previously been of limited use in screening cancers

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