ABSTRACT
Buccal mucosal smears of 100 female patients of carcinoma of breast were compared with 100 controls matched accordingly. The frequency of Barr bodies was significantly lower in carcinoma of breast patients (menstruating and menopausal women) P < 0.001 when compared with controls indicating reactivation of the inactive X chromosome.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: More has been written about the epidemiology of breast cancer than any other form of cancer affecting mankind. The specific breast cancer predisposing genes are BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53. BRCA2, the second breast cancer susceptibility gene, was mapped to chromosome 13q12-q13.The human p53 gene, located on the short arm of chromosome 17, is known to be a tumor suppressor gene that can be inactivated by point mutations. AIMS: To determine the fluctuating asymmetry and to predict the occurrence of carcinoma of breast in females. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rolled finger and palmar prints of 100 female patients of carcinoma of breast were compared with 100 controls. Fluctuating asymmetry measures derived from quantitative parameters (finger ridge counts, a-b ridge counts and palmar angles) were analyzed. RESULTS: Fluctuation asymmetry measures were significantly higher in female patients of carcinoma of breast for the thumb (FA = 2.01), subtotal ridge count (FA = 2.10) and for palmar atd angle (FA = 2.01). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that digital dermatoglyphics may have a future role in identifying women at increased risk for breast cancer.