The issue of any possible risk of gynaecological cancer in spaceflight has been recently presented by Prof. Jean Calleja-Agius from the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, on behalf of members from the GYNOCARE COST Action (CA18117) in collaboration with the NASA Gene-lab Multi-Omics Analysis Working Group. Prof Calleja-Agius presented at the 2022 Analysis Working Group (AWG) Symposium. The title of the presentation was: ‘Extra-terrestrial Gynaecology: Could Spaceflight Increase the Risk of Developing Cancer in Female Astronauts?’. The entire recording of the symposium is available online.
This presentation was based on the work carried out as part of a collaboration between several GYNOCARE COST Action members and the NASA Gene-lab. This also led to a recently published review authored by Dr Rosa Drago-Ferrante, together with other members of the University of Malta including Dr Riccardo Di Fiore and Dr Sherif Suleiman from the Department of Anatomy; and Prof. Joseph Borg from the Department of Applied Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences together with other collaborators from the NASA Gene-lab Multi-omics AWG.
In the present review, Drago-Ferrante R. et al focus on the effects of microgravity and radiation on the female reproductive system, particularly gynaecological cancer. The aim is to provide a summary of the research that has been carried out related to the risk of gynaecological cancer, highlighting what further studies are needed to pave the way for safer exploration class missions, as well as post flight screening and management of women astronauts following long-duration spaceflight. Access the full scientific article through this link.
GYNOCARE is a European network for Gynaecological Rare Cancer research: from Concept to Cure and is supported by COST (European Co-operation in Science and Technology). COST is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. Prof Jean Calleja-Agius is the Action Chair and Grant Holder of GYNOCARE.