Introduction
Breast cancer is among the most widespread multifactorial diseases that is mainly caused by the interplay between the environmental and the inherited factors. In the light of this, various studies have been conducted to explore and determine the associations that exist between genetic variants in the susceptible genes and the risk for breast cancer. However, these studies have produced varying results in regard to the associations between most of the genetic variants and the risk for breast cancer. As such, the study “Genetic variants associated with breast-cancer risk: comprehensive research synopsis, meta-analysis, and epidemiological evidence” by Zhang et al. (2011), sought to explore the real association between various genetic variants and the risk for breast cancer among women from different ethnic groups including Asians.
Protection of human participants
The study does not involve primary collection of date from direct participants and is based on a systematic review of literature, hence relegating the role of the protecting the human participants’ rights to the individual studies that formed the review.
Data collection
The study clearly and succinctly identified the key independent as well as dependent variables involved whereby this enabled the researcher to evaluate the relationship between these variables and the effects that the independent variable has on the dependent variable. In regard to this, the study’s dependent variable was the risk for breast cancer among women while the independent variable was the genetic variants for susceptible genes for breast cancer (Zhang et al., 2011).
In relation to data collection, a broad literature search was conducted on various studies that involved the candidate genes and the risk for breast cancer whereby this enables the researcher to identify relevant and eligible studies that could be used in evaluating the relationship between the aforementioned variables. The previous studies that were eligible to be included in the research include; case-control, cross-sectional as well as cohort studies conducted particularly among human participants with breast cancer diagnosed either by histological or pathological examination (Zhang et al., 2011). In regard to the search strategy, a comprehensive literatures search was conducted particularly on PubMed database using the terms risk for breast cancer and genetic variants. Thus, this enabled the investigator to come up with relevant articles that had valuable information related to the topic (Polit & Beck, 2013).
Data management and analysis
Data extracted from the systematic review of literature was independently analyzed by two researchers whereby this helped in minimizing possible bias (Zhang et al., 2011). In addition, the study utilized appropriate and relevant statistical tests in statistical analysis whereby this helped the investigator to identify the patterns and relationship between the involved variables and enhance heterogeneity of the results. Moreover, sensitivity analysis was used to examine for any possible bias in the results of the previous studies that were used included in this study as well as ensure heterogeneity of results.
Findings / Interpretation of Findings: Implications for Practice and Future Research
The study found out that about 51 variants in forty genes were closely associated to the risk for breast cancer among women from various ethnic groups. Among the key variants that were found to be associated with an increased risk for breast cancer included; CAPS8, CTLA4, ATM, NBN and CHEK2 (Zhang et al., 2011). The study utilized a wide variety of literature involving various ethnic groups whereby this enhanced generalization as well as applicability of the findings. Moreover, multiple comparisons were made between various gene variants as well as ethnic groups whereby this enabled the investigator to come up with appropriate and generalizable findings (Polit & Beck, 2013). However, the study only utilized literature that was published in English language whereby this may result to overlooking of other publications that could have valuable information related to the topic. Thus, further studies should be conducted including literature published in various language so as to come up with more information of the association between gene variants and risk for breast cancer among women from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Furthermore, further research should be conducted to evaluate the relationship between ethnic and gene susceptibility for breast cancer.
Conclusion
Genetic composition of individual have a great effect in regard to the risk for breast cancer among women. As such, understanding the role played by various genetic variants in regard to the risk for breast cancer is among women from diverse ethnic group is an essential strategy that can help to develop suitable as well as relevant interventions to minimize incidences of breast cancer. As such, the study provides valuable insights on the topic that can be used in coming up with suitable interventions to prevent breast cancer.
References
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2013). Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Zhang, B., Beeghly-Fadiel, A., Long, J., & Zheng, W. (2011). Genetic variants associated with breast-cancer risk: comprehensive research synopsis, meta-analysis, and epidemiological evidence. The lancet oncology, 12(5), 477-488.
