WOMEN in Trafford are being warned that even if they test negative for inherited breast cancer genes they may still be at risk.

Breast cancer prevention charity, the Genesis Appeal, based in Manchester, has highlighted new research which suggests that women whose families have a history of the two genes should still have breast screening, aged 35 onwards - even if they have tested negative for the genes themselves.

Genetic faults account for around three per cent of diagnosed breast cancer and predictive testing' is normally offered to other blood relatives.

The new findings show there could be serious implications for relatives of those with the faulty gene, even if they are tested. Gareth Evans, Professor in Medical Genetics and Cancer Epidemiology and Genesis trustee, said: "Normally if a woman in a family with a history of the mutated gene is tested and she finds that she doesn't carry the gene, she feels reassured. However, this report shows women could still be at risk because of other genes likely to be in their family, which we are working on identifying."

Tests were conducted on 531 female relatives of those with breast cancer and ovarian cancer, and almost half tested negative. Out of those testing negative, 28 still developed breast cancer and four developed ovarian cancer.

First-degree relatives testing negative were found to be three times more likely at risk of developing breast cancer by the age of 50.

Genesis believes that women who are more at risk, even those testing negative for the mutated gene, should be screened for breast cancer from when they reach 35 and onwards, following recent US guidelines.

UK current guidance states that women who test negative for the genes are no more likely to develop breast cancer than the general population.