A study presented during the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium last Sunday said women who have the common genetic variation that decreases CYP2D6 could twice likely have a breast cancer recurrence than those who do not, ABC News reported.
CYP2D6 is an enzyme that activates and helps metabolize the breast cancer-fighting Tamoxifen.
A commonly-prescribed drug used to cure women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, Tamoxifen is expected to benefit the estimated 75 percent of the total number of women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer.
The receptors react to hormone therapy, ABC News added.
Tamoxifen, which decreases risks to and recurrence of breast cancer by interfering with estrogen, has side effects: hot flashes, night sweats and nausea, said ABC News.
The Global Center Facts and Figures report showed in 2007, there will be at least 12 million new cancer cases and 7.6 million deaths globally because of cancer.
Breast cancer ranks among the most prevalent among women, the report said.
