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There are approximately 17 million Americans living with a genetic mutation tied to one increased risk of cancerResearchers at the Cleveland Clinic warned on Monday.
And the more than 3,400 mutations identified — mutations that affect people regardless of personal or family history with the disease — may be more common than previously thought, they said in a. statement shared with a new one Study of over 400,000 people,
The findings come as rates of early cancer, including breast and colorectal cancer, are rising among America’s young adults.
The researchers said the findings also highlight the importance of regular cancer screening and suggest that related genetic testing should be done even for patients who are not at high risk.
“Genetic testing has traditionally been reserved for individuals with a strong family history or other high-risk indicators,” said Dr. Joshua Arbesman, a dermatologist at the nonprofit medical center. “Our findings show that many people with pathogenic variants fall outside those criteria, suggesting that we may be missing opportunities for early detection and prevention.”
Each year, about 2 million Americans are diagnosed with a form of cancer, and about one in eight patients have an inherited, cancer-related gene mutation, according to the 2020 Mayo Clinic studyAccording to the WHO, 36.7 million new cases are expected between 2003 and 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
This year, American Cancer Society More than 2 million new cases per day and about 618,000 deaths, or about 1,700 deaths, are expected. Most cases are of breast, prostate and lung cancer.
But melanoma skin cancer also tops the list, with 104,960 new cases and 8,430 deaths projected in 2025. National Cancer Institute,
Arbesman and researcher and co-author Dr. Ni Ying Ni previously found that there was a genetic predisposition to melanoma 7.5 times more Higher than national guidelines estimate.
Cancer screening rates have increased The recommended screening age has been lowered over the past few decades. Increasing screening rates have also been cited as a factor in the influx of early cancer cases, although doctors do not yet fully understand why this is happening.
Still, the researchers said their analysis highlights the potential of expanded screening to improve early detection — which could mean the difference between life and death.
Their research will be based on knowledge gained by doctors, Nee said.
“Knowing the prevalence of gene variants in the general population will give us a clear picture without any preconceptions based on lifestyle or family history,” he said.