Page 56 - Londra Gazete Sayı 1103

Londra Gazete, 28 April 2022 LondraGazete.com/English 9

Scientists find 58 new genetic clues

that point to causes of cancer

ANALYSIS of thousands of
tumours from NHS patients has
identified a ‘treasure trove’ of
new clues about the causes of
cancer.
In the biggest study of its kind,
MPs launch survey on body researchers at Cambridge Univer-
sity Hospitals looked at the geno-
image and mental health mes of more than 12,000 people
with cancer in England.
A survey looking at the effect of most. They spotted 58 new patterns
body image on physical and mental There are no questions in the sur- in their DNA, called mutational
health has been launched by MPs in vey about the link between social signatures, suggesting there are
England. media and negative body image, causes that scientists are not yet
It also asks whether people have despite the current inquiry into the aware of.
used the NHS to deal with body im- effect of influencer culture being The researchers hope the disco-
age issues and how successful servic- conducted by the Department for very will allow future studies to
es have been. Culture, Media and Sport. work out the root of these can- ‘fingerprints at a crime scene’. sent within a tumour helps to fi-
The Health and Social Care Com- The inquiry comes after the Wom- cer-causing mutations. She said the findings could in- gure out the root cause of them
mittee will use the survey as part of en and Equalities Committee found Scientists were aware of just 51 dicate an ‘Achilles heel’ in indivi- and point towards whether the
its ongoing inquiry into the impact in 2020 that 61% of adults and 66% mutational signatures before the dual cancers that could be targe- mutation was caused by environ-
of body image. of children felt negative or very neg- new find, including changes cau- ted with treatment. mental factors or a genetic prob-
At the first session in March, ative about their body image most of sed by smoking or UV light. Around 375,000 new cancer ca- lem.
The Vamps guitarist James Brit- the time. Identifying these signatures ses are diagnosed in the UK every The researchers used their fin-
tain-McVey told MPs about being Diet culture, Photoshop and social also allow doctors to look at each year. dings to develop an algorithm
pressured into getting liposuction at media were cited as some of the big- patient’s tumour and match it to Cancer is caused by mutations called Signature Fit Multi-Step
20. gest causes of poor body image, along specific treatments and medicati- in the genome of cells, which cau- (FitMS) that can spot mutational
This session will hear from doc- with the lack of diverse representa- ons. ses cells to multiply out of control signatures in new cancer genome
tors, researchers and people with tion in advertising campaigns. However, the patterns can only until they form a tumour. samples.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Those who responded to the sur- be detected in cancer patients Cancers are thought to have Only patients who have had
Questions in the survey cover a vey called for major change, includ- who have had their whole genome
range of topics, including whether ing more funding for mental health sequenced by scientists — which a finite amount of mutational their cancers whole genome sequ-
thoughts and feelings on body image services, and changes to school isn’t routinely done. processes, fuelling the search to enced will be able to benefit from
negatively impact quality of life, and curriculums to help teach children Professor Serena Nik-Zainal, identify them all and what causes this tool, but the team believes
which aspects of life are affected the about body diversity. a genomic expert who led the them. it can be rolled out to them ‘very
study, said these patterns are like Knowing the signatures are pre- quickly’.

Outbreak of children’s `

hepatitis ‘linked to Women asked if bladder drug should

be available over the counter
Covid lockdown’ A pill to help treat an trips and distressing acci- can make day-to-day living

overactive bladder - which dents. extremely challenging.
A “worrying” rise in cases of A lack of social mixing could affects millions of women Symptoms include having "It can impact on relati-
hepatitis in children could have be a factor in why it was hitting - could soon be available to urinate at least eight ti- onships, on work, on so-
been brought on by Covid lock- their age-group the hardest. to buy in the UK without mes a day and more than cial life, and it can lead to
downs. This suggested “a susceptibili- prescription. once during the night. anxiety and depression.
The number of investigated ty factor - so lack of prior expo- The Medicines and Healt- It would be the first time a
cases of “acute hepatitis of un- sure of that particular age group hcare products Regulatory medicine for the treatment "Fortunately there are tre-
known origin” in children under during the formative stages that Agency (MHRA) wants wo- of overactive bladder would atments around, and from
the age of 10 has risen to 114, ac- they've gone through during the men and doctors to submit be available without presc- today you will have a chance
cording to the UK Health Security pandemic”, she said. their views. ription. to have your say on whether
Agency (UKHSA). The outbreak has seen as many Aquiette tablets treat the Dr Laura Squire, from the one of those treatments,
Public health officials said a cases detected in the past three "urge to pee" condition whi- MHRA, said: "For many wo- Aquiette, can be available
lack of exposure to common in- months as we would normally ex- ch can cause frequent toilet men, an overactive bladder for the first time without a
fections during children’s “form- pect to see in a year. prescription."
ative” years, due to social distanc- The consultation will run
ing and lockdown restrictions, Cases are mainly in children for three weeks, closing on
may explain the global outbreak under five who have displayed in- 6 May, 2022.details can be
in cases of the disease that has itial symptoms of diarrhoea and found on https://www.gov.
killed one child worldwide. nausea, followed by jaundice - a uk/government/consulta-
Dr Meera Chand - who is lead- condition in which the skin and
ing the UKHSA’s investigation eyes yellow, tell-tale signs the liv- tions/consultation-on-pro-
into the rise in cases - told a er is struggling. p o s al- to-m a ke-aquie t-
briefing that children were not Three-quarters of cases in the te-25mg-tablets-oxybuty-
being exposed to the virus in UK have been linked to adenovi- nin-hydrochloride-availab-
their early years due to lockdown ruses, a viral infection which usu- le-from-pharmacies
restrictions. ally causes the common cold.