Scientists Discover Major Genetic Cause Of Colorectal Cancer

[dropkickpa]

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/118377.php

About one-third of colorectal cancers are inherited, but the genetic cause of most of these cancers is unknown. The genes linked to colorectal cancer account for less than 5 percent of all cases.

Scientists at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and colleagues have discovered a genetic trait that is present in 10 to 20 percent of patients with colorectal cancer. The findings strongly suggest that the trait is a major contributor to colorectal cancer risk and likely the most common cause of colorectal cancer to date.

If a person inherits this trait -- which is dominant and clusters in families -- the study found the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is 50 percent, compared to 6 percent for the general population. The study will be published August 14 in an advanced on-line report in the journal Science.

"This probably accounts for more colorectal cancers than all other gene mutations discovered thus far," said Boris Pasche, M.D., a lead author of the paper and director of the Cancer Genetics Program at the Feinberg School and the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. Pasche also is a physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

[kestrel91316]

1. My mom had two male cousins (identical twins) who both died of

colorectal cancer. Made me suspicious.

[cosmik debris]

2. Now there's a nasty image.

"About one-third of colo rectal cancers are inherited...."

In a lawyer's office with the family gathered around for the reading of the will:

Lawyer: (reading) To my oldest son I leave my house in the city. To my daughter I leave my summer home in the country. And to my youngest son I leave my Colo rectal tumor.

I think I would have worded that article a little differently.

[LeftishBrit]

3. I see your point - and then a distant cousin turns up: 'But I can prove that he promised it to ME!

[LeftishBrit]

4. Interesting.

It's been known for some time that there are some rare and highly heritable conditions that predispose to colon cancer; but this extends the info to far more cases. At least, people who are known to be at risk could undergo more frequent screening.

[dropkickpa]

5. I agree!

[beam me up scottie]

6. My concern with this research is that insurance companies could use it to exclude those at risk.

Don't get me wrong, this is wonderful news and I'm sure it will save many lives, but I also know how corrupt many insurance corporations are.
If there is a way to use this to their advantage, they'll find it.

[mzmolly]

7. Agreed. A friend is a breast cancer survivor and she and her daughter

refuse to be tested for genetic vulnerability for this reason. Interestingly enough my friends dad died from colon cancer. She was told that there is a possibly related genetic link to her breast cancer?

[beam me up scottie]

8. I hear you.

I don't care who promises me complete privacy, if my employer has access to my medical records, everyone else has it too.

It's terrible to have to lie about your previous medical conditions.

[dropkickpa]

9. I'm of 2 minds with this sort of thing

I think early warning is an invaluable tool, but I also have concerns about the privacy of such information. Right now, I'd opt for knowing vs. not knowing, but that may cahnge in the future depending on what my situation is.

[LeftishBrit]

10. Unfortunately, a good point

I could imagine employers or insurance companies making bad use of such info. There has to be new privacy legislation to address such issues, as this sort of genetic screening wasn't available until very recently.

[beam me up scottie]

11. It makes me sick that we should even have to debate whether or not to be screened.

More people will die because of it.

[dropkickpa]

12. Me too

GINA, passed in May, is supposed to protect us from employer and insurance company discrimination based on genetic testing, but there are some gaps in it. Hmm, off to start another thread!

[beam me up scottie]

13. kick for all those evul scientists out there

:hi:

[beam me up scottie]

14. and another

[LeftishBrit]

15. kick for a very important topic