1600 years ago, about 400AD, an inherited form of melanoma began from a genetic mutation that occurred in a single ancestor, according to Glasgow University researchers who traced the genetic mutation back 88 generations. Upon further investigation, a number of Scottish families, presently living in Scotland, as well as Australia, Canada and America, were found to carry the specific genetic mutation that puts them at an increased risk for a certain type of melanoma.According to the researchers, one in ten patients diagnosed with melanoma have a strong family history of the disease and between 20 to 40 percent of those patients carry a high-risk faulty gene known as CDKN2A. The Scottish mutation in this gene is known as M53I. With these genetic discoveries, there is hope that gene therapy can be developed to repair damaged genes in cancer cells.
1. What an interesting discovery. I so wish that we could blame Australia's high rates of Melanoma on Scottish ancestory, but alas, that hole in the ozone layer doesn't do us any favours.
Have linked this blog to one of mine on Protective Behaviours - Sun Safety.
Happy New Year to you all at The Cancer Blog.
Posted at 6:09PM on Jan 6th 2007 by Megan Bayliss