12- Genetics and Cancer

Question 1

What are the differences between inherited cancer and somatic cancer?

Answer 1

Inherited breast cancers are due to mutations
Acquired or somatic only happens post birth in the tissue affected not just one mutation in one gene that gives rise to the cancer

Question 2

How does cancer arise?

Answer 2

Cancer cells were once normal cells
Changes in their genetic make up cause the cell to lose normal properties and gain malignant properties
Grow faster, lose the ability to die, invade other parts of the body
Apotosis genes are often modified or mutated

Question 3

What are the key hallmarks of cancer?

Answer 3

Evading apotosis
Self- sufficiency in growth signals 
Insensitivity to antigrowth signals 
Sustained angiogenesis
Limitless replicative potential
Tissue invasion and metastasis

Question 4

What are the most relevant molecular mechanisms in the development of cancer?

Answer 4

1st Mutations of oncogenes makes the cells susceptible to development of cancer
2nd mutation the tumour suppressor genes can no longer hold the active oncogene leading to cancer

Question 5

What is the significance of genetic testing for cancer?

Answer 5

Genetic testing for hereditary cancer risk has potential to reduce cancer mortality
however this comes with socio/physco effects
maximise testing and minimise socio/psycho impact

Question 6

How will personalised medicine improve clinical outcome in the future?

Answer 6

Biomarker diagnostics such as blood urine DNA and tissue analysis will help improve outcomes as the medicine will have a positive effect as it is altered to correspond with the patient

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