Twins Help Study to Single out Cervical Cancer Risks

Twins Help Study to Single out Cervical Cancer Risks
August 20, 2007

LEE and Sharon Naylor might not look the same, but these Melbourne twins are identical in their support of a new study linked to cervical cancer.

The Victorian pilot project will use twins to investigate the human papilloma virus (HPV), an infection that can lead to cervical cancer.

Researchers want to find out why the virus, which is extremely common among the sexually active, causes no symptoms in some women, but disease in others.

Study co-ordinator Professor Suzanne Garland, of the Royal Women's Hospital, said the work would help scientists understand what made some women more at risk of cancer than others.

"We know that smoking increases a woman's risk of disease, but we don't know what are the other factors," she said. "So we are using twins to help us tease out the environmental from the genetic."

The study is seeking the involvement of female twins over the age of 30. Researchers will look at their Pap smear history and ask participants to complete a questionnaire.

Dr Lee Naylor, a former Olympic athlete, said she and Sharon were always happy to take part in twin studies. "If we can assist the population's general health, then I'm all for it."

And as mothers, the twins hope their involvement may also help improve the lives of their children. "As a parent, any way you can look after your kids, you do," Dr Naylor said.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in women around the world. In 2004, there were 212 deaths from the cancer in Australia, including 47 in Victoria.

The HPV study is a joint project of the Royal Women's microbiology and infectious diseases unit, the Australian Twin Registry and the University of Melbourne.

National Science Week runs until Sunday. See scienceweek.info.au for the full program.

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