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Tuesday, 10 September 2013 11:00

Scientists have discovered a gene that increases the risk of ovarian cancer in mice

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If the gene has a similar role in humans will be able to develop new screening tests

British scientists have identified a gene in mice, which increases the risk of ovarian cancer, as defective.

Rodents lacking gene are twice as likely to develop cancer, ovarian cancer, and to show signs of infertility. If the gene has a similar role in humans will be able to develop new screening tests, said scientists from the charity Cancer Research UK.

They focus on gene Helq, who was involved in the restoration of damaged DNA. It turned out that mice deprived of it, are two-fold higher risk of ovarian cancer.

"The results show that if there are problems with Helq in mice increases the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer and other tumors, said study leader Dr. Simon Boultan. This is exciting because it is possible the same effect was observed in women with a defective gene Helq. The next step is to check whether this is so."

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