Endometrial Cancer News & Updates: Known Genetic Risk Factors Have Doubled, Study Claims

There are now five more known gene regions associated to endometrial cancer, bringing the total to nine regions in all. Researchers from the University of Cambridge, Oxford University and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Brisbane made the findings, which were published in the journal Nature Genetics.

"Our findings help us to paint a clearer picture of the genetic causes of endometrial cancer in women, particularly where there no strong family history of cancer," said Dr. Deborah Thompson via Science Daily. Thompson is from the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Cambridge.

According to GEN News, endometrial cancer, which affects the lining of the uterus, is the sixth most common cancer in women around the world. It is also the most common cancer of the female reproductive tract in developed countries.

Queensland scientists discover endometrial cancer risk genes https://t.co/8EcltiWSda pic.twitter.com/wgOGDkTP2e

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Both Women With And Without Endometrial Cancer Studied

The study involved condensed data from several genome-side association studies of the DNA of over 7,000 women with endometrial cancer and 37,000 women without cancer, Medical News Today reported. The researchers looked for genetic variants affecting the risk of developing endometrial cancer.

Some of the five new regions associated with endometrial cancer were already known to increase the risk of developing ovarian, prostate and other types of common cancers. Thompson said that each genetic increases the risk for endometrial cancer by around 10-15 percent.

Thompson added that total number of genetic variants associated with endometrial cancer inherited by a woman and other risk factors should be observed. These will be used to identify women with a higher risk of endometrial cancer so that they can undergo regular check-ups. The women at risk would be alert to the early signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer.

New Endometrial Cancer Treatments Possible

"As we develop a more comprehensive view of the genetic risk factors for endometrial cancer, we can start to work out which genes could potentially be targeted with new treatments down the track," said senior study author Amanda Spurdle, Ph.D, via GEN News. Spurdle is an associate professor and group leader at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

Spurdle added that with more understanding of the genetic factors behind endometrial cancer, scientists can see if there are already approved and available drugs specifically focusing on those genes. Researchers from Belgium, China, Germany, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States took part in the study.

What do you think this discovery means for women with endometrial cancer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!