Twins take on cancer

Sisters doubled own to lift hopes of cure

THERE are something seven the closest of sisters would rather not share — and cancer would have to be top of the list.

But after supporting each other through matching battles with breast cancer, identical twins Raie Moss and Judy Kohn are now sharing their journey more widely in the hope of saving others.

The Melbourne sisters are taking par tina new Australian study which aims to draw on the closeness of twins to identify factors in early life that may predict the wider risk of breast cancer.

By using twins’ matching DNA and their shared upbringings as a starting point, scientists at Twins Research Australia, based at the University of Melbourne, are hoping to gain fresh insights into how lifestyle factors can protect against breast cancer.

Lead researcher Professor John Hopper said explaining why only one twin in a pair develops breast cancer, or why one twin develops the disease earlier, may have benefits for all.

“Twins have contributed to major breakthroughs in women’s breast cancer studies over the past two decades, revealing better ways to predict risk and improve screening ,” Pr of Hopper said.

Studying twins has previously allowed scientists to identify the first gene called LSP1 that influences the density and risk of breast cancer; revealed a new epigenetic risk factor for breast cancer in the uterus; and found a new technique to interpret mammograms, highlighting those at greater risk.

When Ms Kohn was diagnosed with oestrogen-based breast cancer in December 2013, Ms Moss knew she not only had to support her sister but also worry about her own health.

Last September Ms Moss received the same diagnosis but, a year later, both are in the clear and determined to help others. “It is amazing what they can decipher from twins ,” Ms Moss said.

“They do say that if one twin gets it the other twin’s chances increase, so a second twin pretty much knows down the track she’s going to get it. But the beauty of being twins is that we can look after and support each other and that is really important .”

Pairs of both identical and fraternal adult female twins, in which one or both sisters have had a diagnosis of breast cancer, are invited to participate in the study.

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