Is Cancer A Genetic Disease - 2353 Words

Introduction Cancer is one of the oldest genetic diseases known to man. Since the evolution of mitosis as a means for cell division and the development of multicellular eukaryotes - like humans and their biological progenitors - mutations in normal cell maturation and proliferation have resulted in various types of cancers, some benign but many of which exhibit great malignancy (Hajdu, 2011). Cancer, and one of its more common forms carcinoma, is characterized as a genetic disease where by mutations - often caused by environmental stressors such as chemical or radiation exposure - in the development of epithelial cells lead to abnormal growth, either in terms of size or abundance. This abnormal uncontrolled growth is known as neoplasia (Rock Hogan, 2011). Carcinoma cells can develop by other methods however, anaplasia for example is the process by which normally mature differentiated cells begin to lose their form and resemble immature cells lacking proper function, becoming irrespo nsive to normal stimuli (Scatena, 2011). Dysplasia is similar in that it consists of a proliferation of immature often undifferentiated cells, eventually outnumbering the number of mature cells as they re removed by the process of apoptosis - programmed cell death (Wang, 2010). Eventually the neoplasm, or anaplastic cells, can replace normal tissue; as apoptosis of cancer cells is non-functioning, the development of a large tumour can inhibit the functionality of healthy organs and theirShow MoreRelatedWhy Is Cancer A Genetic Disease?1765 Words   |  8 PagesBackground: Mrs. Jones has recently been diagnosed with stomach cancer. She has begun treatment but is curious about why cancer is a genetic disease. She has tried to understand what the doctors are saying and has even done some research herself but remains confused. Below is the conversation. Nurse: Good afternoon Mrs. Jones. I know earlier you were hoping to sit down and discuss why cancer is a genetic disease. I have some time now if you would like to discuss it? Mrs. Jones- Why yes that wouldRead MoreRole Of Cancer As A Genetic Disease2893 Words   |  12 PagesCase Study: BIOT 635 Prahelika Reddy ROLE OF ONCOGENES IN CANCER RESEARCH 1. Introduction The idea that development of cancer as a genetic disease was first postulated by Cavenee et al and developed by Fearon and Vogelstein. According to COSMIC (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer) database, the current list of known somatic genetic mutations leading to cancer is 522. Genes which undergo mutations leading to cancer can be classified into two groups - Proto-Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor genesRead MoreLung Cancer : A Genetic And Acquired Disease2073 Words   |  9 PagesLung cancer is a genetic and acquired disease. Lung cancer is genetic because cancer in general is caused by changes to the genes that control the way our cells function, especially how they grow and divide. All of these changes include mutations in the DNA that makes up our genes. Genetic changes that increase cancer risk can be inherited from our parents, if the changes are presents in germ cells. Which are the reproductive cells of the body, those are the eggs and the sperm. Lung cancer is alsoRead MoreBreast Cancer : A Complex And Heterogeneous Disease Caused By Genetic Mutations782 Words   |  4 PagesBreast cancer is a complex and heterogeneous disease caused by both genetic and non-genetic risk factors. These factors include, mutations in breast cancer-associated genes 1 and 2 (BRCA1 and BRCA2) [1]; loss or aberrant expression of the estrogen receptor (ER) [2]; human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) overexpression [3] ; lack of ER, progesterone receptor (PR), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression[4] ; high levels of receptor for the insulin-like growth factor receptorRead MoreEssay On Being Cautious About Cancer758 Words   |  4 PagesCautious About Cancer An informative article by: Nelson Burke Introduction Disease is defined as a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body resulting from the effect of genetic or developmental errors, infection, poisons, nutritional deficiency or imbalance, toxicity, or unfavorable environmental factors; illness; sickness; ailment. Simplified, disease is when something goes wrong with the body of an organism due to either a genetic, or externalRead More72 New Gene Mutation Essay1074 Words   |  5 Pages72 New Genetic Mutations Linked to Hereditary Breast Cancer According to the National Cancer Institute, invasive breast cancer affects approximately 1 in 8 U.S. women, and about 5% to 10% of all breast cancers are hereditary. At present, most people are familiar with BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, which are inherited gene mutations—or abnormalities in the DNA sequencing—that increase the risk of developing breast cancer. According to statistics from the National Cancer Institute, by age 70Read MoreGenetic Markers : A Genetic Marker1641 Words   |  7 Pagesunattainable without genetic markers. In everyone there are certain markers that can allow a geneticist to determine a person’s medical future, certain medicines work with some genetic markers and not with others. Many genes are linked to certain diseases and allow a geneticist to possibly prevent diseases. A genetic marker is a DNA sequence with a known specific location on the chromosome, they can be a great indicator for genetic disorders and any other hereditary diseases. Genetic markers are alsoRead MoreThe Genetic Disorder of Down Syndrome1238 Words   |  5 Pagescase of genetic disorder. There are so many all over in the world and many doctors still don’t even know what to call them. Some don’t even know they have a disease in them till its too late, or other know all there lives and some learn to live with the diseas e and others live every day in fear of getting even more sick and hurt. Genetic disorders are very common some more than others. Its all has to do with our 46 chromosomes. Genetic disorders can occur to anyone. Many people believe genetic disordersRead MoreUnit Title: Biochemistry Of Nucleic Acids.(A.C. 5.1 And1583 Words   |  7 Pagescalled histone (American cancer society 2014). According to Cancer Research UK (2014) DNA by itself is made up of thousands of genes, which are a coded message that tell the cell how to behave and divide. As such if the signals are missing, cells replicate excessively and mutate, forming a tumour, and later, a primary cancer (American cancer society 2014). Figure 1.1. Mutation of the DNA leads to severe diseases such as cancer. (Midhath 2012) Read MoreMerrill Syndrome : Lynch Syndrome1358 Words   |  6 Pages Lynch Syndrome Lynch Syndrome In 2015, 132,700 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) and 49,700 people will die from the disease (ACS, 2015). According to the CDC, 1 in 30 cases of colorectal cancer can be attributed to Lynch syndrome (CDC, 2015). Using figures from 2015, that would be 3,981 new colorectal diagnoses related to Lynch syndrome. Livstone (2014) states, â€Å"Patients with one of several known mutations have a 70 to 80% lifetime risk of developing