A new scientific study could help doctors to better understand stomach cancer, and lead to more effective treatment.
Researchers based at the Chinese University of Hong Kong have established a possible link between a receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP) and stomach cancer. They have found that there is more RAMP in stomach cancer cell lines and tissues. This indicates that the protein may play a central role in the development of the disease.
Scientists hope that this finding could be the first step towards creating a treatment to cancel out the function of RAMP. This could halt the growth of tumours and potentially reduce tumour size.
Dr Lesley Walker, Director of Cancer Information at Cancer Research UK, says: “One of the reasons that survival rates for stomach cancers remain low is because they are often at an advanced stage when diagnosed, so making it harder to treat successfully. We welcome new research that could one day help those with stomach cancer face a better prognosis.”
In the UK more than 7,000 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer each year, with 95 per cent of cases
among people aged over 50.
The research was published in November in the British Journal of Cancer.
Stomach cancer - sources of support
Don’t forget that Benenden Healthcare members suffering from cancer can apply for financial assistance to help them with costs relating to home help, travelling to and from hospital, extra heating, prescriptions and specialist equipment hire, and so forth. Membership of Benenden Healthcare costs just £1.50 per person, per week, and you can even join Benenden Healthcare online.
This article first appeared in issue 9 of benhealth, the magazine for Benenden Healthcare members.
