Breast+Cancer+Genetic+Presentation+SLS


 * Breast Cancer: The Genetics Side**


 * Link**: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/disorders/whataregd/brca/index.html

When the 'mechanisms' that control cell growth malfunction and the cells begin to divide at uncontrollable rates, causing tumors, this is called cancer. Cancer that is developed in the ovaries or breasts is called Breast/Ovarian Cancer. Breast/Ovarian cancer is rarely contracted due to genetic history, so the mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 are rare. They are called 'tumor suppressor genes' because they orignially are used to prevent uncontrollable cell growth. BRCA1 is located on chromosome 17, while on BRCA2 is on the 13th chromosome. Both genes are believed to fix mutated genes, but when women inherit the mutated forms of BRCA1 and BRCA2 they 'accumulate broken and deformed chromosomes' and thus they are more likely to contract uncontrollable growth and mutations.

Both men and woman are subject to breast cancer and it can be contracted by inheriting the mutated genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2. The genes are inherited in an 'autosomal dominant pattern', meaning the child only needs to inherit one copy of the mutated gene to be put at risk. Children with parents with the mutated gene have a 50% chance of contracting breast/ovarian cancer.

Tests for these mutated genes can be conducted by genetic screening. This is when a sample of the patient's blood is taken and then tested. From the results, the doctors can determine whether or not the patient has inherited the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. Although the test can determine whether or not the patient has obtained the 'faulty gene', it cannot determine if you will develop breast/ovarian cancer.

When women discover that they possess these mutated genes, they are able to remove their breasts and/or take medicine such as tamoxifen, which is believed to protect against breast cancer.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 when mutated, allow mutated cells and tumors to grow and multiply at a much accelerated pace.

People usually inherit several hundred different mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2, and the most affected ethnic group are the Ashkenazi Jews --contracting 10 times more mutations of the genes then any other ethnic group.