An AMAZING cancer discovery
Yeah, I like making the headlines for these blogs pink whenever I do a breast cancer story. Sort of my own little pink ribbon contribution...
http://www.answers.com/topic/awareness-ribbon
The story I ran tonite was about the mutated gene discovery. Here is additional information about that from the AP (Associated Press):
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Scientists mapping genetics of two of the
nation's leading cancers have found almost 200 mutated genes in
breast and colorectal tumors, many of them never before suspected
of helping cancer form and spread.
Doctors have long known it takes a cascade of genetic flaws to
trigger any of the myriad types of cancer. Which genes are working
improperly also determines if a malignancy is especially
aggressive, and even whether a particular treatment is likely to
work.
Finding those genes-run-amok could lead to better cancer
treatments and even ways to prevent tumors. But scientists have
found only a fraction of them.
Now, armed with better technology, a massive quest is beginning
to comprehensively map the genetic makeup of different cancers.
On Thursday, scientists at Johns Hopkins University reported the
first big success: They examined more than 13,000 genes in 11
different breast tumors and 11 colorectal cancers, removed from
patients during surgery. They found 189 mutated ones that seem to
play a role in those two types of cancer.
The sheer number of potential culprits was surprising;
researchers had expected to find a few, not dozens.
Importantly, the work stresses that cancers differ greatly from
organ to organ: Mutations in the breast tumors were substantially
different from those in the colorectal tumors.
Now the harder work begins: Figuring out exactly what those
altered genes do, and whether there are ways to target them.
"The large number of mutations reported in this paper offers a
glimpse of what is yet to come, and provides exciting new
directions for drug discovery in breast and colon cancer," said
Dr. Francis Collins, genetics chief at the National Institutes of
Health, which helped fund the work.
Okay, the reason some debate whether this line of research is even worth pursuing.... the cost. Tens of millions of dollars are spent on projects like this across the country. This research alone cost $5 million in private donations. Some doctors believe this is not a good use of the money. Others say it is necessary and will lead to a cure for all cancers.
All this talk about money dovetails nicely into Race For The Cure, which raises money that largely stays in the area and works to fight breast cancer. Laural Porter has this awesome team of 30 people and will be there race day.. She just told me (as of 4:20pm on Friday) that she's looking to raise $400 dollars to meet her goal of $2000.00. If you're not on a team and want to help you can do that directly at the Race For The Cure page here:
http://www.kgw.com/raceforthecure/
By the way, Dr. Brian Druker pretty much rocks (he's the doctor I interviewed for my story).
You'll never meet a more humble, harder-working genius. His wife Alex is this super cool, super smart gal who I have chatted with on a few occasions and always like talking with. They just welcomed a new little one into the world. MAJOR congratulations to them! :-)
And, in one of my most embarassing moments (at least that I'm willing to share).. several years ago at an event we attended I asked Dr. Druker... (no joke) how long his last marathon was. He didn't miss a beat and gently informed me they are all 26.2 miles. UGH, I felt like such a DOOFUS!!!
On that happy note, have an awesome weekend!! No, Joe.. I didn't sing karioke nor will I this weekend when I head back to the coast. It's not because I'm chicken or anything like that. I actually like showcasing my total inability to carry a tune. It was just that you couldn't get your ticket called to save your life there were so many people there.
I'm anchoring the am show Monday so we'll just have to see exactly how tired I am come 2:45am when my alarm goes off.
