Weird idea/question of the day - would it be possible to use anthropometric data to predict cancer risk?

Is it possible that machine learning-assisted anthropometric analysis could provide better risk assessment than genetic screening for cancer or other conditions (e.g., connective tissue disorders, heart failure, etc.)?  Relative proportions are reflective of relative growth rates of organs and tissues which in turn are the product of both genes and environment and are dependent on factors such as the balance of growth hormones and nutrient intakes. It seems that if a large number of individuals were scanned photographically - or much better with MRI (since more interesting measurements could be taken, e.g. width of the aorta) and the scans were provided as input, along with data from their health records, to an appropriately designed  machine learning algorithm, it may be possible to  predict risk of various diseases based on anthropometric parameters alone.

This occurred to me just prior to learning that a new company, Ezra, is offering whole body MRI scans for early cancer detection for just under $2,000. Seems like a great thing and I hope they expand to more cities soon. Eventually they may amass a very large dataset (though more than likely it will be unfortunately skewed in terms of socioeconomic status) and the possibility of utilizing it in this way is intriguing. Prevention is even better than early detection, and one would hope prediction would enable better prevention.

[Correction: a previous version of this post referred to anthropometrics as biometrics ; Wikipedia has an explanation of the difference in meaning.]

Bibliography [will be expanded]

Bandera et al. (2016) 'The use and interpretation of anthropometric measures in cancer epidemiology: A perspective from the world cancer research fund international continuous update project' - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27352197/

Giovanucci (2019) 'A growing link—what is the role of height in cancer risk?' - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41416-018-0370-9 

Rahman et al. (2011) 'Hand pattern indicates prostate cancer risk' - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21119657/

Scutt et al. (2006) 'Breast asymmetry and predisposition to breast cancer' - https://breast-cancer-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/bcr1388

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Directory of STEM & Mastodon Instances

I've started a directory of STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] and medical mastodon instances - mainly English language. Here's the link to the Google spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hZz1FB2HP-nqXNHigaiExFWvWTkMJ-TwYJa8W3Pdh-Q/edit?usp=sharing If you want to add to the form either request permission to edit through the form or you can message me: http://zeroes.ca/@Rhyothemis   I also have a list of Mastodon / FediVerse STEM and medical hashtags: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Alc8MlwDCziS6Z-CFij5A6A1MKQtGYTeO--xfW1vl6A/edit?usp=sharing    It's a shame what's happened with Twitter - it was great tool for rapid science communication and SciComm in general. I'm hoping more researchers find a new home in the FediVerse and make liberal use of hashtags so as to avoid siloing of information.
Read more

Video Notes: Mast Cell Activation Syndrome - Making the Difficult Diagnosis with Dr. Tania Dempsey

Image
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome - Making the Difficult Diagnosis with Dr. Tania Dempsey (interviewed by Dr Michell, channel - The Smartest Doctor in the Room) uploaded 19 May 2022 18:00  breast implants & other surgical implants, dental implants as MCAS triggers   20:45   diagnostic testing for MCAS     21:38  blood markers - histamine, chromogranin A, tryptase, heparin   22:39   24-hour urine metabolites - N-methylhistamine, prostaglandin D2, leukotrienes, 2,3-Dinor-11beta-prostaglandin F2 alpha   23:01   CD117 marker staining of tissue biopsy samples (endoscopy or colonoscopy) ; mast cell count   26:00   eosinophilic esophagitis, comparison w/ recognition of disease; many EoE pts have MCAS {comment: it's my understanding that mast cells recruit eosinophils}     28:17   Bartonella, need to treat underlying causes of MCAS     29:24  vitamin D receptors on mast cells   30:12  pro...
Read more

homocysteine, CBS, autoimmunity - very brief notes

 I don't even have time today to post links to references and  hope I can find them again at some point in future ... {update 2021-07-18 - I'm working on it} A commenter on YT that I had previously discussed how methionine restriction can actually cause an increase in homocysteine levels asked me what I thought about the apparent paradox - since methionine restriction (MR) lengthens lifespan, but high homocysteine / hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) should cause an increase in mortality from CVD (and other things). In lab animals HHcy is induced by feeding excess met and restricting B12, folate and B6. But low met decreases CBS activity, which can also cause HHcy. Chronic HHcy can cause hypermethylation of the CBS gene, reducing its expression. I'm guessing that's why clinical trials to lower Hcy with vitamin B6 etc. don't necessarily result in improvement in cardiovascular health - CBS is still not working and H2S signalling is still impaired. Maybe not the case, though,...
Read more

cold exposure & breast cancer

A recent flare up of fibrocystic breast symptoms had me wondering if use of cold packs has any effect on breast cancer (BC) risk. Cold packs are often recommended for mastalgia (breast pain) from fibrocystic breast disease, mastitis, engorgement due to breast feeding cessation, and post breast cancer surgery. Whole body cold exposure has been found to increase tumor growth and metastasis in mice: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269266 T-cell function is diminished at colder temperature leading to reduced anti-tumor immune responses. The article notes implications for standard research practice of housing mice at relatively colder temperatures - another thing to add to the list of problems in current practices.  (Could cold acclimation be used to promote tolerance in autoimmunity and atopy? Another topic for another day.) The mice were subjected to whole body cold exposure  - not spot treatment. It is conceivable that reducing acute inflammation through localized cold...
Read more