Short article.
There is a new research which shows epigenetic testing, whilst still some years away, will much improve results of testing for cervical cancer over the usual smear/pap test. Cervical cancer used to be the number one cause of death in women about a hundred years ago. But thanks to advancements in medical science, this disease is almost preventable today.
Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression. Essentially, it refers to chemical and/or other modifications that regulate how genes behave, telling them whether to be turned on or off. Numerous studies have shown how a person’s epigenetic profile can influence their health, even lead to complications later on in life. What’s more is that disruption in the epigenome is known to play a critical role in cancer development explains whatisepigenetic.com
So what is the new test? It analyzes the DNA of the cells and instead of looking at any variations in the genetic code, that would indicate something specific like the HPV virus, the new test inspects for chemical markers or tags that appear on top the DNA, shaping what is called the ‘epigenetic profile’
The lead researcher from this study, Prof. Lorincz believes that epigenetics, not DNA mutations are better indicators of early cancers like cervical, anal, prostate, and colon. “Epigenetic changes are what this cervical cancer test picks up and is exactly why it works so well.” This may take up to 5 years to appear in mainstream medicine but will eventually help to save more lives.
Link to research;
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijc.31976
News sourced from; whatisepigenetic.com
