Latest news with #Blenkiron
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Womb Cancer ‘Really Hitting The Pacific And Māori Communities', NZ Biologist Says
Article – RNZ Mori and Pasifika women have some of the highest rates of womb cancer in the word. , RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor Susana Suisuiki, Pacific Waves Presenter/Producer Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor A University of Auckland biologist working on less invasive tests for womb cancer (or endometrial cancer) says studies suggest that one of its causes is higher weight or metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. The number of diagnoses of the disease in New Zealand has risen from 600 a decade ago to around 750 a year. Māori and Pasifika women have some of the highest rates of womb cancer in the world. Researchers say younger New Zealand women are now being diagnosed with womb cancer, which previously struck after menopause. It is occurring in women aged 30 to 40 and is particularly prevalent in Māori and Pasifika populations. 'We need to do a bit more work and to have a look at the numbers,' Dr Cherie Blenkiron told Pacific Waves. 'But the studies that are out there suggest that is really one of the main causes…particularly in New Zealand, for the increased number of people who are being diagnosed each year. 'Unfortunately, that really is hitting the Pacific and Māori communities.' She said there have been 'really tight studies' that have shown that one of the causes is higher weight or metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. 'What they've shown in these trials overseas is if you treat and you manage those conditions better, then you reduce the likelihood of those women developing endometrial cancer.' However, Dr Blenkiron said it is a type of cancer that can be removed if found early. Symptoms can include cramping and abnormal bleeding or spotting. 'You know your body perfectly well, so if there's any change in in bleeding, then really do get it checked out by your GP. 'Women will present with symptoms, and that really means that if they act on those symptoms…we can pick up the cancer early, we can treat it early, and this is a type of cancer that can be cured very easily with surgery or really limited forms of drugs.' The new screening tests the university is working on aim to do move away from 'quite nasty' biopsies and to minimally invasive tests, Dr Blenkiron said. 'We're looking for molecules, for example, in the blood or in little biopsies. Or one of the projects that we're doing is looking for swabs. So taking self swabs, much like have been done in cervical cancer,' she said. 'So blood tests, swab tests – much easier to take and much more painless. 'What we do with these tests is to first, hopefully, pick up the cancer earlier. So these would be screening tests. 'And second to pick the right medicine or the right treatment for each patient,' she added.
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Womb Cancer 'Really Hitting The Pacific And Māori Communities', NZ Biologist Says
Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor Susana Suisuiki, Pacific Waves Presenter/Producer Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor A University of Auckland biologist working on less invasive tests for womb cancer (or endometrial cancer) says studies suggest that one of its causes is higher weight or metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. The number of diagnoses of the disease in New Zealand has risen from 600 a decade ago to around 750 a year. Māori and Pasifika women have some of the highest rates of womb cancer in the world. Researchers say younger New Zealand women are now being diagnosed with womb cancer, which previously struck after menopause. It is occurring in women aged 30 to 40 and is particularly prevalent in Māori and Pasifika populations. "We need to do a bit more work and to have a look at the numbers," Dr Cherie Blenkiron told Pacific Waves. "But the studies that are out there suggest that is really one of the main in New Zealand, for the increased number of people who are being diagnosed each year. "Unfortunately, that really is hitting the Pacific and Māori communities." She said there have been "really tight studies" that have shown that one of the causes is higher weight or metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. "What they've shown in these trials overseas is if you treat and you manage those conditions better, then you reduce the likelihood of those women developing endometrial cancer." However, Dr Blenkiron said it is a type of cancer that can be removed if found early. Symptoms can include cramping and abnormal bleeding or spotting. "You know your body perfectly well, so if there's any change in in bleeding, then really do get it checked out by your GP. "Women will present with symptoms, and that really means that if they act on those can pick up the cancer early, we can treat it early, and this is a type of cancer that can be cured very easily with surgery or really limited forms of drugs." The new screening tests the university is working on aim to do move away from "quite nasty" biopsies and to minimally invasive tests, Dr Blenkiron said. "We're looking for molecules, for example, in the blood or in little biopsies. Or one of the projects that we're doing is looking for swabs. So taking self swabs, much like have been done in cervical cancer," she said. "So blood tests, swab tests - much easier to take and much more painless. "What we do with these tests is to first, hopefully, pick up the cancer earlier. So these would be screening tests. "And second to pick the right medicine or the right treatment for each patient," she added.
Scoop
15-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Scientists Seek New Tests For A Cancer On The Rise
Press Release – University of Auckland Womb cancer particularly affects Mori and Pacific Island women – Pacific women have one of the highest rates in the world,says Blenkiron, who is head of the Universitys Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology. An epidemic of womb cancer in New Zealand is being tackled by University of Auckland researchers. Associate Professor Cherie Blenkiron and Dr Sandra Fitzgerald, who are affiliated with the University's Centre for Cancer Research, are working to develop less invasive tests for womb cancer. 'Specialists at New Zealand hospitals are seeing many more women with womb cancer and there has been a huge increase in the number of younger women diagnosed. 'Womb cancer particularly affects Māori and Pacific Island women – Pacific women have one of the highest rates in the world,' says Blenkiron, who is head of the University's Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology. Women who are obese or have diabetes are more likely to develop cancer of the womb. 'With the epidemic of obesity and diabetes, we're also seeing an epidemic of womb cancer,' says Blenkiron. A decade ago, about 600 new cases of womb cancer were detected in New Zealand each year, but that has risen rapidly to about 750 a year. It used to be regarded as a disease affecting women after menopause, but these days women as young as 30 are being diagnosed. The national cervical screening programme was picking up 25 to 30 percent of womb cancer cases, but it has been replaced by HPV tests that don't detect womb cancer. That means there's an urgent need to develop new womb cancer screening tests, which are not currently widely available in New Zealand, says Blenkiron. 'Our dream is to provide an accurate, affordable test that can be done in a GP clinic, possibly by the woman herself,' she says. If womb cancer is picked up early, most women survive. However, some women make the fatal mistake of brushing away concerns about menstrual bleeding that is excessive or that occurs between periods or after menopause. Some don't realise these are the primary symptoms of womb cancer, while others feel too shy to seek help. In some cases, GPs struggle to know whether patients need a biopsy to determine whether they have womb cancer, says Fitzgerald. 'A less invasive test will help pick up cancers early, which will improve women's chances of survival,' she says. Without widespread screening tests in New Zealand, women generally have to go to hospital for a biopsy to test for the cancer. Recently, overseas researchers have devised ways to test vaginal swab samples for DNA modifications that signal cancer to try to reduce the number of women sent for unnecessary biopsies. 'We said 'look, in a number eight wire, New Zealand way, let's make that happen here',' says Blenkiron The researchers are also working on ways to test biopsy samples to identify which type of womb cancer a patient has. These molecular tests would identify aggressive cancers that require chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as hysterectomy. 'We've got high hopes that test might be available for patients throughout New Zealand by next year,' says Blenkiron. The researchers are also forging into new territory, looking at innovative ways to create world-leading tests. The Cancer Society has just granted $250,000 for their research to identify DNA mutations that cause cancer. Blenkiron and Fitzgerald hope a swab test might be developed that is sensitive enough to detect traces of DNA mutations that have been shed from the uterus into the vagina. Since 2021, the researchers have been looking at whether the microbiome in the vagina and uterus is different in women with cancer. They have created a test using vaginal and uterine swabs that is now being trialled on about 300 women at five hospitals in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. This work is being carried out with a $175,000 grant from Auckland Medical Research Foundation and $80,000 from the Cancer Research Trust NZ. In 2020, the Li Family Cancer Research Fund and the Centre for Cancer Research – Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku granted $50,000 for the researchers to look at markers in blood samples that might point to womb cancer. This test is now being tried out on numerous samples from patients. These potentially groundbreaking projects are likely to take longer, but the researchers hope tests might reach patients within the next 10 years.
Scoop
15-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Scientists Seek New Tests For A Cancer On The Rise
Press Release – University of Auckland An epidemic of womb cancer in New Zealand is being tackled by University of Auckland researchers. Associate Professor Cherie Blenkiron and Dr Sandra Fitzgerald,who are affiliated with the University's Centre for Cancer Research, are working to develop less invasive tests for womb cancer. 'Specialists at New Zealand hospitals are seeing many more women with womb cancer and there has been a huge increase in the number of younger women diagnosed. 'Womb cancer particularly affects Māori and Pacific Island women – Pacific women have one of the highest rates in the world,' says Blenkiron, who is head of the University's Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology. Women who are obese or have diabetes are more likely to develop cancer of the womb. 'With the epidemic of obesity and diabetes, we're also seeing an epidemic of womb cancer,' says Blenkiron. A decade ago, about 600 new cases of womb cancer were detected in New Zealand each year, but that has risen rapidly to about 750 a year. It used to be regarded as a disease affecting women after menopause, but these days women as young as 30 are being diagnosed. The national cervical screening programme was picking up 25 to 30 percent of womb cancer cases, but it has been replaced by HPV tests that don't detect womb cancer. That means there's an urgent need to develop new womb cancer screening tests, which are not currently widely available in New Zealand, says Blenkiron. 'Our dream is to provide an accurate, affordable test that can be done in a GP clinic, possibly by the woman herself,' she says. If womb cancer is picked up early, most women survive. However, some women make the fatal mistake of brushing away concerns about menstrual bleeding that is excessive or that occurs between periods or after menopause. Some don't realise these are the primary symptoms of womb cancer, while others feel too shy to seek help. In some cases, GPs struggle to know whether patients need a biopsy to determine whether they have womb cancer, says Fitzgerald. 'A less invasive test will help pick up cancers early, which will improve women's chances of survival,' she says. Without widespread screening tests in New Zealand, women generally have to go to hospital for a biopsy to test for the cancer. Recently, overseas researchers have devised ways to test vaginal swab samples for DNA modifications that signal cancer to try to reduce the number of women sent for unnecessary biopsies. 'We said 'look, in a number eight wire, New Zealand way, let's make that happen here',' says Blenkiron The researchers are also working on ways to test biopsy samples to identify which type of womb cancer a patient has. These molecular tests would identify aggressive cancers that require chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as hysterectomy. 'We've got high hopes that test might be available for patients throughout New Zealand by next year,' says Blenkiron. The researchers are also forging into new territory, looking at innovative ways to create world-leading tests. The Cancer Society has just granted $250,000 for their research to identify DNA mutations that cause cancer. Blenkiron and Fitzgerald hope a swab test might be developed that is sensitive enough to detect traces of DNA mutations that have been shed from the uterus into the vagina. Since 2021, the researchers have been looking at whether the microbiome in the vagina and uterus is different in women with cancer. They have created a test using vaginal and uterine swabs that is now being trialled on about 300 women at five hospitals in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. This work is being carried out with a $175,000 grant from Auckland Medical Research Foundation and $80,000 from the Cancer Research Trust NZ. In 2020, the Li Family Cancer Research Fund and the Centre for Cancer Research – Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku granted $50,000 for the researchers to look at markers in blood samples that might point to womb cancer. This test is now being tried out on numerous samples from patients. These potentially groundbreaking projects are likely to take longer, but the researchers hope tests might reach patients within the next 10 years.
Scoop
15-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Scientists Seek New Tests For A Cancer On The Rise
An epidemic of womb cancer in New Zealand is being tackled by University of Auckland researchers. Associate Professor Cherie Blenkiron and Dr Sandra Fitzgerald, who are affiliated with the University's Centre for Cancer Research, are working to develop less invasive tests for womb cancer. 'Specialists at New Zealand hospitals are seeing many more women with womb cancer and there has been a huge increase in the number of younger women diagnosed. 'Womb cancer particularly affects Māori and Pacific Island women - Pacific women have one of the highest rates in the world,' says Blenkiron, who is head of the University's Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology. Women who are obese or have diabetes are more likely to develop cancer of the womb. 'With the epidemic of obesity and diabetes, we're also seeing an epidemic of womb cancer,' says Blenkiron. A decade ago, about 600 new cases of womb cancer were detected in New Zealand each year, but that has risen rapidly to about 750 a year. It used to be regarded as a disease affecting women after menopause, but these days women as young as 30 are being diagnosed. The national cervical screening programme was picking up 25 to 30 percent of womb cancer cases, but it has been replaced by HPV tests that don't detect womb cancer. That means there's an urgent need to develop new womb cancer screening tests, which are not currently widely available in New Zealand, says Blenkiron. 'Our dream is to provide an accurate, affordable test that can be done in a GP clinic, possibly by the woman herself,' she says. If womb cancer is picked up early, most women survive. However, some women make the fatal mistake of brushing away concerns about menstrual bleeding that is excessive or that occurs between periods or after menopause. Some don't realise these are the primary symptoms of womb cancer, while others feel too shy to seek help. In some cases, GPs struggle to know whether patients need a biopsy to determine whether they have womb cancer, says Fitzgerald. 'A less invasive test will help pick up cancers early, which will improve women's chances of survival,' she says. Without widespread screening tests in New Zealand, women generally have to go to hospital for a biopsy to test for the cancer. Recently, overseas researchers have devised ways to test vaginal swab samples for DNA modifications that signal cancer to try to reduce the number of women sent for unnecessary biopsies. 'We said 'look, in a number eight wire, New Zealand way, let's make that happen here',' says Blenkiron The researchers are also working on ways to test biopsy samples to identify which type of womb cancer a patient has. These molecular tests would identify aggressive cancers that require chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as hysterectomy. 'We've got high hopes that test might be available for patients throughout New Zealand by next year,' says Blenkiron. The researchers are also forging into new territory, looking at innovative ways to create world-leading tests. The Cancer Society has just granted $250,000 for their research to identify DNA mutations that cause cancer. Blenkiron and Fitzgerald hope a swab test might be developed that is sensitive enough to detect traces of DNA mutations that have been shed from the uterus into the vagina. Since 2021, the researchers have been looking at whether the microbiome in the vagina and uterus is different in women with cancer. They have created a test using vaginal and uterine swabs that is now being trialled on about 300 women at five hospitals in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. This work is being carried out with a $175,000 grant from Auckland Medical Research Foundation and $80,000 from the Cancer Research Trust NZ. In 2020, the Li Family Cancer Research Fund and the Centre for Cancer Research – Te Aka Mātauranga Matepukupuku granted $50,000 for the researchers to look at markers in blood samples that might point to womb cancer. This test is now being tried out on numerous samples from patients. These potentially groundbreaking projects are likely to take longer, but the researchers hope tests might reach patients within the next 10 years.
