Scientists in the US have discovered a new gene mutation that raises a woman's risk of ovarian cancer. The so-called MAGEC3 gene is passed down through the X-chromosome, and is therefore inherited from the father's genes.
We already know that the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can significantly raise the risk of ovarian cancer. Women can be tested for these genes and have preventative surgeries to decrease their risk of developing the disease, like that undergone by Angelina Jolie.
However, genes passed down from fathers are not currently part of these tests. Although further research is needed to fully understand its implications, this new finding could therefore represent a major breakthrough in ovarian cancer prevention.
Annwen Jones, Chief Executive of Target Ovarian Cancer told The Debrief: “a better understanding of the inherited genetic risk of ovarian cancer from the father’s side as well as from the mother’s side is vital for helping women to determine their individual risk of developing the disease and to make informed choices about preventative strategies, including surgery. These findings, if clarified by further research, would represent a big step forward in ovarian cancer prevention, saving thousands of lives.'
Despite its high prevalence and mortality rate, ovarian cancer is widely misunderstood and under-diagnosed. Its main symptoms (persistent bloating, always feeling full, tummy pain and needing to wee more), often go misdiagnosed or ignored. According to Target Ovarian Cancer, only one in five UK women are aware that bloating is one of the main symptoms of ovarian cancer. Even more worryingly, they report that almost half of GPs (44%) mistakenly believe symptoms of the cancer only present in its later stages.
Scientific research into the disease is also insufficient. ‘There is an urgent need to increase research efforts in ovarian cancer’, says Annwen Jones, who describes a ‘chronic underfunding’ in the field compared to other cancers. ‘Great improvements have been made in other women’s cancers – more women than ever survive breast cancer, and we have national screening and immunisation programmes for cervical cancer. Yet no similar innovation has been made in ovarian cancer, which kills more women than any other gynaecological cancer.’
Hopefully, today's findings will mark a significant step forward in our scientific understanding of ovarian cancer, but also get people talking about a disease which is often overlooked and misunderstood.
Anyone with concerns about ovarian cancer can call Target Ovarian Cancer’s nurse-led Support Line on 020 7923 5475.
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.