US scientists believe they have identified a new gene mutation that can raise the risk of ovarian cancer, and is passed from father to daughter.
It is inherited through the X-chromosome and is independent of other known susceptibility genes that women can already be tested for.
Experts say more studies are needed to confirm the identity and function of the gene.
The latest findings appear in the journal PLoS Genetics.
Family risk
Currently, women with a strong family history of cancer can be tested for the BRCA gene, which greatly increases a woman's chance of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Angelina Jolie inherited BRCA1 from her mother - she had preventative surgery after her doctors estimated she had an 87% risk of breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer.
But researchers believe there may be many other cases of seemingly sporadic ovarian cancer that are actually inherited - some via the X chromosome girls get from their father.
source:www.bbc.com
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