In females, we did not find any significant association between the CYP17 polymorphism and breast cancer risk, irrespective of menopausal status or stage of the disease, which is in agreement with most studies published so far (Dunning et al, 1998; Helzlsouer et al, 1998; Weston et al, 1998; Haiman et al, 1999; Nedelcheva Kristensen et al, 1999). This evidence concerns the gene CYP17A1 and breast cancer.