Dear medicos, Docs and friends of science,

Genes screen to spot cancer risk
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/5126618.stm

Scientists have developed a test to find out which groups of people are more
likely to develop bowel cancer.
The Edinburgh researchers say they will be able to tell if a person is carrying
faulty genes that can be linked to the cancer by using the screening method.
Faults in the genes MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 are connected to some bowel cancers.
Scientists at Edinburgh University developed the test in a study involving 870
patients, the New England Journal of Medicine reports. They took blood and
tumour samples to look at their DNA. Their findings showed that 38 (4%) of the
patients had the faulty genes, higher than previous estimates.


These are very valuable findings that will help scientists better understand
the process of bowel cancer development, particularly in people who are
diagnosed at a young age Professor Alex Markham Cancer Research UK

Bowel cancer is common in the UK with 34,900 cases diagnosed every year. It is
hoped that the test will be able to detect people at risk before they develop
the disease. Professor Malcolm Dunlop, from the colon cancer genetics group of
Edinburgh University, said: "This large study has allowed us to develop a new
means to identify patient groups who are likely to carry genetic defects
responsible for their bowel cancer.
Online model

"The model we developed is easily accessed on our website for clinicians who can
then use the prediction to determine who needs genetic blood tests. "Our method
also shows that a higher proportion of bowel cancer patients fulfilled the
criteria for having genetic faults than the current methods would suggest." The
study found that twice as many men carried the faulty genes as women. The
findings were welcomed by Professor Alex Markham, chief executive of Cancer
Research UK. He said: "These are very valuable findings that will help
scientists better understand the process of bowel cancer development,
particularly in people who are diagnosed at a young age."




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