CGE: Interpreting Data on Cancer

Question 1

Risk factors

Answer 1

Things that increase a person’s chance of getting cancer.

Question 2

Genetic factors

Answer 2

Some cancers are linked with specific inherited alleles.

Question 3

Environmental factors

Answer 3

Exposure to radiation, lifestyle choices such as smoking, increased alcohol consumption and a high-fat diet can be linked to an increased chance of developing cancers.

Question 4

Why is knowing the mutation for can useful?

Answer 4

For the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Question 5

What is cancer caused by?

Answer 5

Mutations in proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes.

Question 6

How can knowing about the mutation for a cancer lead to more effective prevention?

Answer 6

• Can screen for the mutation in DNA
• Knowing about increased risk means tht preventative steps can be taken to reduce it.
• More sensitive tests can be developed, which can lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis.

Question 7

How can the knowledge of the mutated allele of the BRCA1 gene lead to prevention of breast cancer?

Answer 7

• Screening for mutated allele of the BRCA1 tumour supressor gene.
• Lead to preventative steps - women may choose to have a mastectomy to reduce the risk of breast cancer developing.

Question 8

How can knowing about the mutation for a certain cancer help with treatment and cures?

Answer 8

• Can develop drugs to effectively target mutated cells.
• Helps decide best treatment plan - some cancer-causing mutations require more aggressive treatment than others.
• Gene therapy - hopefully can be used in the future to provide working versions of the faulty gene.

Question 9

Why is it often difficult to draw conclusions about the causes of variation?

Answer 9

Because some characteristics can be affected by many different genes and environmental factors.

It is difficult to tell which factor has the largest effect.