In the study, ICR researchers have investigated DNA of women from 911 families with breast and ovarian cancer and compared differences in DNA with a control group of 1060 people from the general population.
The scientists said, when RAD51D gene is faulty, a key repair pathway fails which means DNA damage is not fixed and DNA faults build up in cells which make them more likely to turn into cancer.
The study results suggested that PARP inhibitors, a new class of drugs can destroy cells with faulty RAD51D.
The drugs demonstrated positive results in the clinical trials as a treatment for breast cancer and ovarian cancer with faults in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
ICR Genetics and Epidemiology head Nazneen Rahman said women with a fault in RAD51D gene have a one in 11 chance of developing ovarian cancer.
"At this level of risk, women may wish to consider having their ovaries removed after having children, to prevent ovarian cancer occurring," Rahman said.