BBC World Service

Laron syndrome: The Ecuadorians that might hold the key to treating cancer - BBC World Service

People with Laron syndrome rarely grow beyond 1.2m due to a genetic mutation that limits the body’s growth. Click here to subscribe to our channel 👉🏽 https://bbc.in/3VyyriM Globally, only 840 people are known to have the condition - most of whom live in southern Ecuador. Living with Laron syndrome can be challenging, but this small community has attracted the attention of researchers due to one unexpected advantage - a lower incidence of cancer and diabetes. Doctors suggest their unique genetic makeup could provide clues on how to prevent and treat age-related illnesses in the wider population. 00:00 Living with Laron Syndrome in Ecuador 00:55 Meet twins Maria Luisa and Maria del Swan Romero 01:27 What is Laron syndrome, explained by the Romero twins 03:31 Meet Luis Antonio Sánchez 5:20 What causes Laron syndrome: the medical explanation 6:18 The paradox of Laron syndrome: less cancer and diabetes 07:14 What the treatment is like 07:40 Prejudices and challenges: testimonies of what it is like to live with the disease 08:21 Meet Paola Boada 10:30 Access to treatment for children and adolescents: the case of Sara Espinoza 12:50 Dealing with the diagnosis: Meet Camila and her family Find more of the best BBC World Service documentaries you can watch in less than 30 minutes here ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4cI2qSy69-3UkgBWaXGHRrx Video production: Jorge Pérez Valery General production: Alejandro Millán Animations and maps: Daniel Arce and Gonzalo Cañada Global Journalism producer: Rebecca Thorn Editors: Nathalia Passarinho and Carlos Serrano Executive producer: Natalia Pianzola Executive directors: Carolina Robino and Daniel García Marco ---------------- This is the official BBC World Service YouTube channel. If you like what we do, you can also find us here: Instagram 👉🏽 https://www.instagram.com/bbcworldservice Twitter 👉🏽 https://twitter.com/bbcworldservice Facebook 👉🏽 https://facebook.com/bbcworldservice BBC World Service website 👉🏽 https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio Thanks for watching and subscribing! #BBCWorldService #WorldService #laronsyndrome #ecuador