A first of its kind collaboration involving local cancer experts and researchers in Yemen
LONDON, Ontario - Imagine facing a terminal illness uncertain and alone. For young women living in Yemen, a country located on the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia and many other developing countries, these struggles are reality. A diagnosis of cancer brings a sense of shame and hopelessness causing women to ‘hide’ their disease until it is too advanced to easily treat. Researchers in London and Sana’a, Yemen (under the supervision of Dr. N. Nagi, Director of the National Oncology Program) were recently awarded an international ethnic research initiative grant from GlaxoSmithKline aimed at developing a better understanding of breast cancer, the most common malignancy among women in Yemen.
This country of 23 million people has some of the most ancient continuously inhabited cities in the world including a large rural population who have lived in the same regions for centuries. The rates of consanguinity are high, which may result in more genetic mutations and increased incidence of breast cancer in families. The team of researchers from Lawson Health Research Institute (Lawson), London Health Sciences Centre and The University of Western Ontario (Western) are hoping that through their study they will discover “founder” mutations in Yemen that will lead to a better understanding about the origins of cancer and possibly new treatments in the future.
“This is the first clinical research involving cancer in Yemen in cooperation with an outside institution,” explains Dr. Ted Vandenberg, researcher at Lawson and medical oncologist at the London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP). “It is my hope that we can bring the issue of breast cancer to light, to get women talking more openly about it.” Researchers have to tailor their communication strategies for a highly illiterate female population using Arabic translations and digital video capabilities. Because of the strong male influence in the Yemen family dynamic, the male head of household may need to be considered in these communications in an effort to obtain consent. The study will evaluate how well the research is accepted in Yemen, the proportion of families who accept genetic counseling, and documentation of the social, personal and economic barriers to carrying out the study.
Phase I of the study will commence by the end of the year and involves identifying 300 women with breast and/or ovarian cancer. Researchers in Yemen will be working closely with colleagues in London, as tissue sampling, pathologic testing and counseling will be done locally.
“As part of this study, we will be able to determine the feasibility of scientific collaboration between Yemen and Canada,” says Vandenberg. “This includes storage and transportation of biological samples.” Vandenberg hopes that through better internet linkages, the team in Yemen will soon be able to host periodic case discussions with local experts at LRCP.
It is expected that information on the acceptance of the study will be available in 2010 and that genetic testing will be undertaken later next year. This unique international study could set the stage for future novel research projects in developing countries. “It truly represents a symbiotic relationship,” says Vandenberg. “We can learn from them and they (developing countries) can learn with us.”
Dr. Ted Vandenberg is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario.
For more information, please contact:
Melissa Beilhartz, Communications Consultant
Lawson Health Research Institute
519-646-6100 ext. 65516
Melissa.beilhartz@lawsonresearch.com
www.lawsonresearch.com