By using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models with backward stepwise exclusion, XRCC1 (p = 0.002), FEN1 (p = 0.001), pol β (p = 0.032), BRCA1 (p = 0.040) and tumour stage (p < 0.0001) remained significant independent predictors for BCSS after controlling for adjuvant chemotherapy (Table 1). The gene discussed is FEN1; the disease is neoplasm.