Posted on 01/02/2008 7:27:00 PM PST by blam
Seventeenth-century couple left US cancer legacy
12:14 02 January 2008
NewScientist.com news service
Reuters and New Scientist staff
A married couple who sailed to America from England around 1630 may be the ancestors of thousands of people in the US at higher risk of a hereditary form of colon cancer who are alive today, researchers said on Wednesday.
US scientists traced a so-called founder genetic mutation found among two large families currently living in Utah and New York to the couple.
Cancer researchers at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah say thousands of people across the country may have the mutation that spread widely as the couple's descendants branched over many generations.
"The fact that this mutation can be traced so far back in time suggests it could be carried by many more families in the United States than is currently known," says Deborah Neklason, who led the study. "In fact, this founder mutation might be related to many colon cancer cases in the United States."
Mystery cause Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the US. It will affect 153,000 Americans in 2008, according to the American Cancer Society, and will kill 52,000.
Family history, smoking and diet are all linked with colorectal cancer, but experts are still struggling to identify the causes that underlie most cases.
Less than 1% of these cases are due to this particular genetic mutation, estimates the study.
The US team first focused on the Utah branch of the family – numbering about 5000 people today – 14 years ago because its members had an unusually high risk of colon cancer.
Because the family was Mormon, the researchers were able to mine a wealth of genealogical information taken from detailed church records over the years that
(Excerpt) Read more at newscientist.com ...
And, so, in conclusion ... don’t vote for Mitt.
Some of my ancestors immigrated from England to New York in the early 1600s. I sure would like to know the name.
Their name was William and Jane AnAMericanMother ...uh oh....
Ha! That’s not my maiden name! < g >
Smith, perhaps?
Maybe if they had drank some tea or coffee?........
Second the motion. What was the name? Surely the right to medical privacy doesn’t extend back to 1630.
One of my ancestors on my father’s side was Elder William Brewster, on the Mayflower. I don’t think he’s the guy they’re talking about, if this is mainly a New York/Utah thing.
What’s the name or names of the families????
Why the mystery????
The New York - Utah connection does bring Joseph Smith to mind, doesn't it?
Heh. Good one!
Yes, and he did die of Colon Cancer.
-ccm
Could also have been the 140 folks on the Puritan ship Mary & John who also arrived here in 1630. They sailed from Plymouth, landed at Nantasket and founded the town of Dorchester, MA. I’m a direct descendant.
Joseph Smith (LDS) was murdered in Liberty jail. He didn't die of colon cancer.
You’re correct, I misread, it was his mother.
One of my own ancestor’s, Jonathan Caulkard, arrived in Plymouth in 1630. My God bless him forever ( an all my immigrant ancestors) for coming to America.
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