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Oklahoma scientist's work could lead to faster colon cancer diagnosis

Jul 21, 2010

by Sonya Colberg
Oklahoman

©2010 Produced by NewsOK.com


Oklahoma scientist Courtney Gray Montgomery broke out from the crowd of researchers who steadfastly examined individuals and colon cancer.

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation scientist made the connection between colon cancer and families. That discovery of a cluster of three genes connected to early-onset colon cancer in families could someday help reduce the 655,000 deaths yearly.

Her team's study revealed that people with colon cancer in their families share a certain gene. If colon cancer runs in a family, the discovery shows that individuals in that family likely have the gene for colon cancer.

"If your family has this particular gene for colon cancer, you are 30 percent more likely to develop colon cancer," Montgomery said.

"That's really high," for genetic disorders causing such a prevalent disease, she said

Read more: http://newsok.com/oklahoma-scientists-work-could-lead-to-faster-colon-cancer-diagnosis/article/3478062#ixzz0uKQkM3QL