Professor Mark Molloy
The science is still unfolding, but
Mark’s direction is clear: user-friendly screening, targeted follow-up, and a deeper genetic understanding of what drives this deadly cancer.
Following publication of this finding, the team is conducting a follow-on study to confirm whether these gene mutations predict future polyp development. If successful, the research could lead to a test that helps prioritise patients for follow-up colonoscopies based on molecular risk – allowing those patients with the highest risk to be seen more quickly than current guidelines dictate. It is estimated 15,000 Australians are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year. “If you vox-popped people in the street, a lot of people would be touched by bowel cancer in some way – if not directly, they would know of someone in their circle,” says Mark.
He says it is unclear why bowel cancer is on the rise, particularly among younger people. “Ideas include changing nutrition over time causing changes in our gut microbiome that are known now to be facilitators of some bowel cancers. Then there’s thoughts about the environment – like the abundance of microplastics that we breathe in and consume. Or it could be our more sedentary lifestyle.”
He says research is ongoing but there is no agreed-upon evidence.
The science is still unfolding, but Mark’s direction is clear: user-friendly screening, targeted follow-up, and a deeper genetic understanding of what drives this deadly cancer. His various avenues of research will hopefully find more answers and help redefine the future of bowel cancer prevention and care.
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