Welcome, how can we help?
Home Chevron
Sitemap Chevron
Quick Quote Chevron
Different types of insurance Chevron
Life insurance companies Chevron
Life insurance or life assurance? Chevron
Who can I buy life insurance from? Chevron
Policy Types
Critical illness cover Chevron
Family income benefit life insurance Chevron
Income protection insurance Chevron
Level term life insurance
Mortgage protection life insurance Chevron
Mortgage payment protection Chevron
Terminal illness cover Chevron
Total permanent disability
Unemployment insurance Chevron
Waiver of premium
Getting Technical
Childrens critical illness cover Chevron
Legal principles of life insurance Chevron
Living outside the uk
Reviewable vs Guaranteed premiums
Who regulates us? Chevron
Will I get a critical illness? Chevron

 

Home / News / Smoking 'increases colorectal tumour risk'

Smoking 'increases colorectal tumour risk'


14 April 2008 18:03:03



Women who smoke are at an increased risk of developing colorectal tumours, according to a new study.

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in America found that that smoking puts older women at significant risk of losing DNA repair proteins that are critical for defending against the development of some colorectal cancers - a finding which may affect their life insurance policies.

Women who smoked were found to be lacking some or all of four proteins, known as DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins.

These proteins keep cells lining the colon and rectum healthy by recognising and repairing genetic damage as well as mistakes that occur during cell division.

The researchers also discovered a direct association between the number of cigarettes smoked daily by study participants and increased risk of developing these specific tumours.

"Our findings suggest that tumours may form because cells can't repair themselves from damage induced by smoking," Mayo gastroenterologist Dr Paul Limburg said.

The findings also could have other clinical implications regarding chemotherapy, as tumours that lack MMR proteins might respond differently to standard treatment regimes, he added.

The study is to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.

According to Cancer Research UK, around 36,100 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year.

Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice onlineADNFCR-980-ID-18551266-ADNFCR
News Archive

August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007