Researchers find gene link to colon cancer: study (AFP)
If a person inherits this gene, his or her risk of getting colon cancer is 50 percent higher than the the six percent expose to danger in the general population, said the research by doctors at Northwestern University, published in the journal Science.
"This to all appearance accounts for more colorectal cancers than all other gene mutations discovered thus far," said Boris Pasche, a lead author of the paper.
The trait, which has been named TGFBR1 ASE, results in decreased production of a key receptor for TGF-beta, the most potent inhibitor of cell growth, the findings said.
With less of this vital protective substance to inhibit cell growth, colon cancer be possible to in greater numbers easily develop, it said.
"The reasonable expectancy is this finding will save some lives," Pasche said.
"We will be able to identify a larger number of individuals that are at risk of colorectal cancer and, in the long term, maybe decrease the cases of colorectal cancer and of people departure from it by being able to screen them more frequently."
Colon cancer kills around 50,000 people each year in the United States, and afflicts around a people million globally each year.