Scientists identify chromosome linked to colorectal cancer

Researchers at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research and Cancer Care Ontario hope their identification of a genetic variation on a chromosome associated with colorectal cancer may help them screen people for the disease.

The study was published in Nature Genetics involved researchers from around

the world who analysed more than 100,000 genetic elements from 10,000 people, including 2,400 Ontarians from the Ontario Familial Colorectal Cancer Registry.

Research on this chromosome has previously linked it to other forms of cancer, including prostate cancer, suggesting that individuals with this newly discovered variation may be at risk for a broad spectrum of cancers.

"This discovery will lead to better understanding of colorectal cancer biology and the cause of this disease," Dr. Tom Hudson, co-principal investigator and president and scientific director of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research said in a statement.

"This information can be used to identify those at risk of colorectal cancer and direct them to screening at an earlier age."

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest form of cancer in Canada.

"This breakthrough could lead to new methods of testing for colorectal cancer," said Dr. Brent Zanke, co-principal investigator and scientist at Cancer Care Ontario, adding the screening could be done through blood tests.

source:www.canada.com