Distinct pathological features among BRCA1-associated tumours have been found when such tumours are compared with sporadic cancers; these features include high tumour grade, negativity for oestrogen receptor (ER), overexpression of p53, negativity for progesterone receptor (PR), and a higher proportion of medullary and atypical medullary carcinomas [1-3]. The gene discussed is TP53; the disease is cancer.