Friday, October 25, 2013

Gene increases cancer risk


Scientists have identified a gene that increases the risk of colorectal cancer for people who like to eat processed meats.

The researchers compared 9,287 patients with colorectal cancer with 9,117 people without cancer and found the cancer victims carried genetic variant rs4143094 and ate processed meats.

The finding might lead to testing people to determine whether they are at higher risk for developing colorectal cancer and therefore should be more cautious about eating processed meats and exercising other precautions, said the lead scientist.

The genetic variant is on the same chromosome that carries another genetic variant that has been linked with several forms of cancer. Gene GAT3 normally plays a role in the immune system.

On chromosome 8, a statistically significant diet-gene interaction was found in another variant, rs1269486.

This variant was associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer.

The discovery was announced during a meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics in Boston.