Search Is On For Genes That Point To Womb Cancer

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Genetics
Article Date: 12 May 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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A Queensland University of Technology study pinpointing the genetic differences between women with and without womb cancer will help in the early diagnosis of the disease.

PhD student Tracy O'Mara, from the School of Life Sciences at QUT, who is working in collaboration with scientists at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, said there was an acute need for better screening for womb or endometrial cancer, with about 1400 new cases of the disease diagnosed every year.

The disease affects the lining of the uterus, and is the most common form of gynaecological cancer in Australia, and the sixth most common cancer overall.

"Doctors believe early detection can save lives but existing procedures often fail to detect the cancer's early development," Ms O'Mara said.

"I'll be focussing on identifying and understanding the genes that collectively increase the risk of endometrial cancer, particularly the aggressive forms of the disease.

"To do this I'll be looking at the genetic variation in DNA from a large group of women with endometrial cancer, and comparing this to the genetic variation present in a large group of women without cancer.

"The subset of genes containing variants that occur more commonly in endometrial cancer patients are those that are likely to be involved in development of the disease.

"If we can identify these genes we'll not only be able to diagnose earlier, we'll eventually also understand how to develop targeted cancer therapies."

Ms O'Mara said womb cancer was on the increase due to an ageing population and because risk factors like obesity were also on the rise.

"But it is one of the easiest cancers to diagnose and treat if detected early."

Ms O'Mara is the recipient of a $21,000 Smart State PhD Scholarship from the State Government.

The Smart State PhD Scholarships program is part of the Government's $200 million Smart State Innovation Funds, which are designed to help build world-class research facilities, attract top quality scientists and stimulate cutting-edge research projects in Queensland.

Queensland University of Technology