Dominica is to be part of a research project that will assess the contribution of genes and genetic mutation to breast and ovarian cancer in the Caribbean.
A team of medical doctors and scientists lead by Dr. Judith Hurley from the University of Miami is expected on the island to conduct the first phase of the project between October 10 and 14.
Dr. Hurley, a medical oncologist, began her research in the Bahamas after she noticed that women with breast cancer in that country were young. In 2010 results of her research showed that Bahamian women had “double the highest reported rate in the world” of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer – 23 percent compared to 3-5 percent in the United States and 10 percent in the Ashkenazi Jew population, for example.
Dr. Hurley’s initial investigation has now been expanded to study the genetics and characteristics of breast and ovarian cancer in 1,000 patients from across the Caribbean – namely, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, the Cayman Islands and Dominica.
While in Dominica the researchers will study and identify genetic mutations in the gene BRCA that are responsible for breast and ovarian cancer.
The identification of the prevalence of these genetic mutations in Dominica will help with the implementation of prevention strategies, early screening tests, improved treatment regimes and an overall better understanding of the risks associated with breast and ovarian cancer development in Dominica and the region, the researchers said in a release.
Women who have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer OR Ovarian Cancer and are interested in participating in this study are invited to call (767) 440-5633 or 449-8593 or email [email protected] for further details.
There will also be a sign-up desk at the Dominica Cancer Society Rally at the Windsor Park Stadium from 6:30 PM on Saturday October 6, 2012.
I am happy that this is going to take place. The rise in cancer has been tremendously high especially in the nature isle. I do hope that the research does not only look at genetics, but also the high use of pesticides, and air freshners used on a daily basis by our people.
I think the article on Cancer prevention hits the nail on the head. We should watch what we eat, and what we drink. and read about the Graviola and use it too. http://healingherbsofthecaribbean.blogspot.com
Yes that is true, but we cannot ignore our genetics.
Cancer is a sham created by the US just like the AIDS virus and 9/11…wake up dominicans…the evidence is all around you
Who are the Ashkenazi Jews?
Google is a wonderful invention.
@ Freethinker,
..4 those who know how to use it. just fwd the person with a link, that will go further than self-righteous sarcasm alone.
Well said
@ Matriculation – It’s “self-righteous sarcasm” to assume a person who types a comment on a website (a literate comment at that) knows how to use Google? Unless Francis has an extraordinary condition that prevents him from using Google, he is simply acting lazy and embarrassing. And you are just as embarrassing to defend a lazy buffoon who cannot type a term for two seconds into the world’s best-known search engine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashkenazi_Jews