Athlone scientist reveals link between obesity and oesophageal cancer

New research by Athlone clinical scientist, Dr Claire Donohoe, at St James’s Hospital, Trinity College Dublin has for the first time shown that there is a clear association between obesity and oesophageal cancer.
The research funded by the Irish Cancer Society shows that patients with excess weight on the abdomen (called viscerally obese) may be at increased risk of oesophageal cancer.
Dr Donohoe was one of the first Irish Cancer Society Research Scholars to be funded by the Irish Cancer Society in 2009, alongside Dr Maria Pertl and Dr Christine White, who were all awarded PhDs this week at a conferring ceremony in Trinity College Dublin.
All three researchers have published important findings in their cancer area, including oesophageal and cervical cancer, and self-help interventions for patients who live with persistent cancer-related fatigue (CRF) that continues after treatment.
“Despite recent improvements in outcomes for patients diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus, overall survival remains low at less than 20% and new treatment strategies are needed,” noted Dr Donohoe at the ceremony this week.
“Our study was the first in Ireland to look at the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway as one mechanism by which obesity promotes cancer growth and progression, and to explore whether IGF proteins can be exploited as a target for cancer treatment. We found that the IGF pathway was over-expressed in patients who were obese, and that when you target this pathway you could kill cancer cells, opening up the potential for drug treatments.”
“The Irish Cancer Society is unique in funding medical researchers or doctors in training like me, who take time out of their career to look at in-depth research questions in detail to the benefit of the patients that we work with. I am very thankful for their ongoing support of this study, which I hope will lead to better care for patients.”
In total, the Irish Cancer Society invested €283,800 in the three Research Scholarships,
Professor John Fitzpatrick, Head of Research at the Irish Cancer Society, said: “We’re very proud of our first three Research Scholars who have achieved remarkable results since being granted funding in 2009, helping to break new ground in cancer research.. The Irish Cancer Society will continue to fund excellent students and Clinician Scientists in-training like Dr Donohoe. Funding these future leaders will ultimately provide the Irish public with real hope for a future without cancer.”
For further information on the Irish Cancer Society’s programme or to make a donation, visit www.cancer.ie or contact the Irish Cancer Society on Call Save 1850 60 60 60.