Researcher profiles:
Cancer often advanced when symptoms detected
Endometrial (or uterine) cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer in NZ. The number of cases is rising in New Zealand, and it is especially prevalent in Māori.
As for many gynaecological cancers, the symptoms are easily missed and uterine cancer tends to be very advanced at the time of diagnosis.
Finding signature genes leads to earlier detection
Our researchers are analysing the difference in levels of expression of genes in normal, and cancerous endometrial cells. Once a set of signature genes for cancer cells has been identified, we will use this signature to search for cancer cells in endometrial swabs taken from patients at risk. It is anticipated that this will lead to earlier, simpler detection of this disease, followed by more effective treatment.
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Tanis Godwin beginning the assessment of individual endometrial cancer cells.