However, there was a weak but significant negative correlation between hTERT expression and progesterone receptor (PR) status (p = 0.04) in tumours. hTERT mRNA expression was also significantly higher in carcinomas (median = 2.61 x 10(6)) than in fibroadenomas (median = 424).We conclude that hTERT mRNA expression is significantly higher in human breast cancer than in non-cancerous breast tissue suggesting that hTERT has a potential role in breast cancer diagnosis.