Hello everyone! Today, February 4th, is Cancer Awareness Day, and we should be aware of what cancer is, how we can be prepared for it, and how we can prevent ourselves from getting it, what recent research has found, and how soon or later we might be able to use the findings, and other questions...
As a gynecologist, I've always had a strong interest in women's reproductive health, both for my own well-being and because of the examinations I perform on my patients. I did some research and collected it into an easy-to-read format for everyone. The investigation of cancer is our primary objective. If you are ready, let’s get started.
We do use many different tests to diagnose, detect what is the matter, what bothers our patients to evaluate, to draw the lines between comfort zone and uncomfortable zone for the patient.
Imagine if a single test, based on analysis of cervical cells from a smear test, could be used to detect four distinct types of female cancer at an early stage and to predict cancer risk over the lifetime of a healthy woman.
But, What is Smear Test?
Cervical screening, also known as the "smear test," is a cytology test used to assess cervix health and detect precancerous changes that can lead to cancer. To perform cytology, a small brush is used to collect a sample of cells from the cervix.
A new study found that cells taken from a woman's cervix during a routine smear test could be used to detect ovarian and breast cancer, as well as predict the likelihood of a woman developing either cancer in the future. Isn’t that amazing?
How does This New Test Work?
The epigenome, which consists of thousands of tags on the DNA called DNA methylation, determines a cell's identity by increasing or decreasing gene expression, thereby differentiating cells into distinct types, such as a cervix cell becoming an immune cell. Numerous environmental factors, including hormonal exposure, the number of pregnancies, smoking, vaginal microbe diversity, dietary imbalances, and physical activity, can alter DNA methylation in cervical cells. The presence of these epigenetic alterations can either increase or decrease the risk of cancer.
Importantly, DNA methylation integrates all exposed cells and leaves a signature on the DNA that can indicate increased cancer risk, sometimes years before diagnosis.
DNA methylation in cells collected from the cervix is studied because these cells are epithelial, can be collected with minimal disruption to the patient, and are responsive to hormones.
Recently, I have learned more about this special test thanks to my participation in international webinars, my own researches, and my valuable colleagues from all over the world. This is why sharing our knowledge and making even a small contribution to the massive body of scientific information is so important.
Scientists have discovered that a single sample collected during a routine cervical screening can accurately predict the risk of four different types of cancer in women— Breast, Ovarian, Endometrial and Cervical Cancer.
The test analyzes the DNA methylation signature, and cancer risk scores are calculated for each of the four women cancers. These alterations in DNA methylation can be detected years before a cancer develops and used to track a person's risk of developing the cancer. This is the initial, crucial stage of our procedure, and it is our primary focus.
How does This Test Help?
People who are found to have a high risk of developing one of these four types of cancer could then be offered regular surveillance, risk-reducing surgery, or therapeutics. This has the potential to avoid future the development of cancer in thousands of people each year. It is still under progress and the outcomes are splendid!
Feel free to comment or send me a direct message if you have any questions concerning the test, the research, or the most recent results.
Do Not Forget! You Are Not Alone, I’m With you! t female cancers at an early stage and also predict cancer risk over a healthy woman's
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