Cancer and the Variant Gene Connection

Information in an online version of Nature Genetics showed a key change in DNA linked to prostate cancer was also implicated in colon cancer.

The researchers said risks to an individual who has the rs6983267 variant gene are comparatively small. Those with the variant gene, located in the DNA chromosome 8q24, have about a twenty percent higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than those who don’t have the variant gene, they said.

The key word is “variant” which has its roots in “vary,” --to change form, appearance, nature, or substance.

Approximately one half of all subjects studied in four separate research projects carried the variant gene. Because it’s quite common it can impact a large percentage of the population.

One researcher said between four and nine percent of all bowel cancers may be traced to the variant gene. One group compared the genomes of approximately 7,500 colon cancer patients and 7,800 non-cancer controls.

A USC study showed the variant gene increasing the colorectal cancer risk by twenty-two percent. Prior studies have shown an increased risk for prostate cancer when the rs6983267 variant gene is present. The USC research included 1,800 cancer patients from varied ethnic and racial backgrounds and 5,500 healthy controls.

The percentage of risk of prostate and colorectal cancer did not change because of the person's sex, race, site of tumor, tumor stage, family history, smoking or drinking.

There seemed to be contradictions in the information. The researchers stated that race made no difference, then later said the variant gene was found more frequently in some ethnic groups than in others. "The frequency of this specific genetic variation varies widely in the population, from about 85 percent of African-Americans to as low as 30 percent of Japanese.” Simple math tells us the eighty-five percent group has a higher risk factor in their ethnic grouping than the thirty percent group.

It appears the researchers are talking about symptoms...the gene varying. More important in the information string is...Why does the gene change form, appearance, nature, or substance and what can we do about it?

If we understand the makeup and structure of the human body, we’re aware of where the prostate is located, and that it’s in close proximity to the colon. If sex is not a determining factor, it is almost a certainty that females who carry the variant gene, and are at higher risk for colon cancer according to the research, are also at higher risk of uterine and cervical cancer.

If that’s the case it would appear there’s a common cause that’s not relative to sex or genetics, but relative to other factors.

Why do African-Americans carry a much higher percentage of the variant gene than Japanese? Thinking outside of normal research parameters we come up with two quick possibilities--diet and constipation.

Diet can lead to constipation with constipation resulting in bowel putrefaction which adversely affects the colon. Since the colon is located closely to the prostate, uterus and cervix, the possibility of irritation, infection and cancer would appear likely to increase the percentage of those cancers.

It’s been proven in innumerable studies that certain foods contribute to colon cancer. The African-American population eats a high percentage of foods on the cancer causing list. Those same foods are also known to have a higher causal rate of constipation than the foods that Japanese traditionally eat.

None of the healthy controls or colon cancer patients were under twenty. So, is the problem genetic? If the researchers had found the variant gene in children or teenagers at the same percentages, it might be assumed the variant gene had been passed from one generation to the next. If not, it would appear that lifestyle choices and diet were most likely the prime suspect for the gene varying.

Recently, at a meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, it was reported that flaxseed, not flaxseed oil, slowed the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Flaxseed is a bulking agent, contains essential fatty acids plus other beneficial items and helps speed up bowel transit time. Lowered bowel transit time reduces the likelihood of putrefaction, giving credence to the colon cancer, prostate cancer, constipation link.

One quarter cup of flaxseed ground in a seed grinder is the benchmark. One quarter cup, or four tablespoons, can be portioned out or taken with a single meal. Flaxseed mixes well with salads, soups, grains and meats. Flaxseed has a pleasant nutty flavor and is best if ground fresh and used immediately. Flaxseed oil and ground flaxseed have a short shelf life. It’s necessary to drink extra water when taking flaxseed. The extra water, eight glasses per day or more is recommended, also helps speed bowel transit times.

Exercise is known to lower colon cancer percentages. Long bowel transit times increase colon cancer risks. This could be true of all cancers.

Changing genetic predisposition may be as simple as a change in diet, doing appropriate exercise and making health promoting lifestyle choices.

The best exercises for relieving constipation are walking and flexibility exercises that come from, and are practiced in, the Orient such as yoga, T’ai Chi and Qi Gong.

The alternatives are business and treatment as usual.

Copyright 2007, Larry R. Miller