Seal et al concluded that monoallelic BRIP1 mutations can confer an increased susceptibility to breast cancer compared to the general population.3 BRIP1 is a helicase that is involved in DNA repair functions of BRCA1.9,10 Experimental data conclude that in cases of a BRCA1 mutation, the BRIP1 protein is unable to function properly. This evidence concerns the gene BRIP1 and breast carcinoma.