在英国，肠癌被列为三大常见癌症之一，每年大概有3.5万人被诊断发现有肠癌，大约有1.6万人死于该疾病。最近，英国的癌症研究机构发现了2中基因缺陷和1/3的的肠癌有关。研究人员估计，每年大约有1.2万的肠癌患者通过基因修补能够被治愈。
生物谷专家表示，肠癌是仅次于肺癌的第二大人类杀手，但是如果能被及早诊断，治愈的机会还是比较的大。如果人们不注重运动和饮食，肠癌的发病率相当普通人来说会较高。肠癌患者一般都在55岁以上，但是近年来，肠癌发病有年轻化的趋势。
英文原文：
Gene discovery could help treat bowel cancer
Two genetic defects that may be responsible for up to a third of bowel cancer cases have been discovered by scientists.
The breakthrough, signalled in a report published yesterday, could lead to a national screening programme for the disease, with those found to be at increased risk given specialised treatment.advertisementBowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Britain, with 35,000 people diagnosed with it every year, of which 16,000 die.
In the study, by Cancer Research UK's London research institute, scientists found two genetic defects which, when present with another defect that was discovered earlier this year, could be responsible for a up to a third of cases.
The report, published in the journal Nature Genetics yesterday, says that 12,000 people diagnosed with bowel cancer in Britain every year are likely to have this genetic make-up.
The researchers say that they are edging closer to being able to fully map the genetic codes that make people more likely to develop the disease.
Once this happens, they will be able to develop a blood test that could pinpoint those at greatest risk.
Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer after lung cancer, but the illness is more easily treated if caught in the early stages.
Prof Ian Tomlinson, who led the research, said: "We're delighted to have taken our research forward to pin down the genes that influence a person's risk of developing bowel cancer.
"Increasing our understanding of genes like this may make it possible for scientists to eventually develop ways of stopping many people at increased risk of bowel cancer from developing the disease altogether."
Dr Lesley Walker, of Cancer Research UK, added: "Cancer Research UK is launching a series of genome-wide studies, including searches for genes that influence lung and ovarian cancer risk.
"Discoveries like this will improve our understanding of cancer and help us to develop targeted screening and treatment for people at increased risk of the disease.
"We hope that step by step we are coming closer to some form of screening.
"By identifying the genes responsible for the disease we would also be able to develop treatment specific to people with that genetic make-up."
Bowel cancer is also thought to be more common in people who lead an inactive lifestyle and who eat a diet rich in red meat. It largely affects people over the age of 55, but is increasingly common in younger patients.
