Gene test gives early alert for breast cancer

All women could soon be offered a genetic test which would tell them whether they were likely or unlikely to contract breast cancer, scientists will say today.

The test could have profound implications for the NHS breast screening programme. Researchers from Cambridge University say that women whose test result shows they are at high risk could be called for screening at a much younger age, while those at low risk could defer mammograms until they are 55 or older.

The test could be a simple mouth swab, said Dr Paul Pharoah from Cambridge University's department of oncology. The technology, used already by commercial DNA profiling agencies, exists to do it now. "To design a test is relatively straightforward if the powers that be thought it was worthwhile," he said.