Thousands of women at risk of breast and ovarian cancer could be spared surgery after researchers found that a common osteoporosis drug may prevent the diseases. The breakthrough, which scientists are hailing as a potential "Holy Grail" in cancer prevention, will help women born with mutations in their BRCA1 gene.BRCA1 has been dubbed the ''Jolie Gene'' after Angelina Jolie, the actress, opted for a double mastectomy and hysterectomy to stop cancer on learning that she carried the genetic fault. Around one in 1000 women also carry the mutation which raises their chance of breast cancer from 12.5% to 58% and increases their risk of ovarian cancer 29-fold.But now Australian scientists have found the cells which cause the disease, and a way of prevent them turning cancerous.The breakthrough came when researchers noticed that the pre-cancerous cells were fuelled by the same protein which drives the bone-destroying cells behind osteoporosis. Crucially, a drug called denosumab already exists to shut the protein down. Lab trials on breast tissue from BRCA1 cancer patients showed the medication could prevent tumour formation. Trials in mice showed a similar result.''It is very exciting to think that we may be on the path to the 'Holy Grail' of cancer research, devising a way to prevent this type of breast cancer in women at high genetic risk," said Professor Jane Visvader of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, in Melbourne. ..