Continue reading Nov 27, 2008
But it wasn't until April -- with the urging and help of his other daughter, Selena Martinez -- that Nazario Martinez was informed of the true cause of his familial cancer problems. Nazario Martinez found out he has a little known genetically caused ailment called Lynch Syndrome. (Selma Enterprise, CA)
Experts denounce gene patents Nov 20, 2008
"A patent holder can determine whether or where your genes are tested," Graeme Suthers, the head of the familial cancer unit at the South Australian Clinical Genetics Service, told the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia's annual scientific meeting in Sydney yesterday. He said it was unlikely the legitimacy of gene patents would be challenged in Australia because anyone bringing such a case could not gain financially from it, merely depriving the patent holder of potential gains. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
When law is patent nonsense Oct 25, 2008
The director of the familial cancer service at Westmead Hospital, Associate Professor Judy Kirk, refers hundreds of families for testing for the breast cancer mutations each year ... If a single lab does all the testing, asks Dr Graeme Suthers, head of the familial cancer unit at the South Australian Clinical Genetics Service, "who provides the benchmark?" Small differences in the way specimens are handled can subtly alter readings, but if many labs offer the same diagnostic service it quickly... (Sydney Morning Herald)
Genetic tests rise and staff struggle Aug 6, 2008
Gene analysis of cancers was rising, said Dr Suthers, the head of the familial cancer unit at the South Australian Clinical Genetics Service, as evidence showed some drugs were more effective against tumours with particular genetic characteristics. "In women with breast cancer there's a good case for a genetic profile," said Dr Suthers, who will present the results in Adelaide today. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Cancer Incidence And Mortality In Young People Decreases With Increasing Deprivation Jun 12, 2008
Prof Birch, Director of the Cancer Research UK Paediatric and Familial Cancer Research group, University of Manchester (UK), explained: "Strong associations with socio-economic deprivation and affluence are seen for many diseases. Overall cancer incidence and mortality increase with increasing deprivation. However, different cancers and age groups show different patterns. Geographical variations in incidence, trends over time, and associations with deprivation and affluence can point to... (Science Daily)
Research: teens more likely to suffer from some cancers Jun 10, 2008
Cancer Research UK's Pediatric and Familial Cancer Research Group Director Jillian Birch said that the question is whether there are special reasons these young people are developing cancers that are usually only typical of adults. More research was needed into whether adolescents might be more genetically susceptible to certain cancers, Birch said, suggesting hormones could factor into the increased rates of cervical and testicular cancer, possibly triggered by puberty. (Xinhuanet, China)
Wealthy background can raise the risk of cancer for teenagers Jun 10, 2008
Professor Birch is director of the Cancer Research UK Paediatric and Familial Cancer research group, at Manchester University. She was speaking at the Teenage Cancer Trust's Fifth International Conference on Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Medicine. (Daily Mail)
BRCA Mutations Don't Spot All High-Risk Women May 7, 2008
The analysis included 119 women who were part of the Familial Cancer Registry. All of the women had been diagnosed with an initial breast cancer, and had decided to prophylactically remove the second breast. (MEDLINEplus)
Second breast cancer may be greater than thought for high-risk women without BRCA mutations May 5, 2008
The study included women in a familial cancer registry at Lombardi who were enrolled between 1998 and 2007. The registry participants had a least a 10 percent probability of carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation based on personal or family history of cancer. (EurekAlert!)
Genetic counselors turn to unconventional counseling to meet demand for genetic testing Mar 17, 2008
The delivery of genetic test results for a disease like cancer can trigger a range of emotions and can be more distressful than anticipated-- particularly when theres been no counseling and the results are positive, explains Beth N. Peshkin, MS, CGC, senior genetics counselor at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of Georgetown University Medical Center, and educational director of the Jess and Mildred Fisher Center for Familial Cancer Research. While in-person genetic counseling is... (EurekAlert!)
Radical surgery to curb cancer Feb 4, 2008
Dr Graeme Suthers, head of the SA Familial Cancer Unit, said that until recently it had been thought the lifetime risk of breast cancer for people with the mutant gene was 80 per cent. ... Dr Suthers said familial cancer was classified as three or more close family members having breast cancer. (Advertiser Adelaide)
Australians not taking advantage of cancer tests: study Nov 17, 2007
"Familial cancer is serious, it is scary but the diagnosis of familial cancer is a golden opportunity to reduce the burden of cancer in that family," Dr Suthers said. Doctors say the next step is to find out why so many people do not want the tests and what can be done to turn that around. (ABC Online)
Breast cancer on the rise in Manipur Oct 26, 2007
Another aspect of breast cancer highlighted by the doctor was that this type of cancer comes under familial cancer and the defect can be transmitted through genes. "Fifteen percent of cancers are hereditary, including breast cancer. If two relatives have breast cancer, the risk gets higher.". (KanglaOnline)
MRI urged for women at high risk of cancer Oct 22, 2007
Gillian Mitchell, director of the hospital's Familial Cancer Centre, said: "Currently what's happening is inequitable. Either you can afford to pay for it and get one, or you're lucky enough to be at a centre that has access to it." She hoped it would not take another year. "It's possible we will miss more cancers because, for this young high-risk group, mammography is not as good as mammography with MRI," she said. (The Age)
Need for hospital brandy aids wine industry, too Aug 4, 2007
- A multidisciplinary familial cancer clinic (genetics, gynaecological oncology, breast oncology, medical oncology). - A 25-bed obstetric ward with neonatal intensive care nursery. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
SickKids researchers discover predictive marker for early onset cancer in some cancer-prone families Feb 15, 2007
Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a familial cancer syndrome which predisposes primarily children and young adults to develop cancer. This disease affects 1 in 10 000 people and those diagnosed carry an almost 50 per cent chance of developing cancer before the age of 20. (Canada Newswire)
