Researchers have associated mutations in specific genes with more than 50 hereditary cancer syndromes, which are disorders that may predispose individuals to developing certain cancers. Genetic tests can tell whether a person
Heredity also plays a role in the development of cancer. If a person’s relatives have a history of cancer, then that person has a higher risk of developing cancer. Genetic variations, particularly those influencing how the body responds to carcinogens, may create a greater vulnerability to cancer.
When used in healthcare, genetic testing can show the genetic cause of a disease, confirm a suspected diagnosis of an illness, predict future illnesses, and predict responses to
Genetic testing identifies changes in ones genes and chromosomes. These changes often lead to diagnoses of conditions, disorders, or diseases. Through testing, “one can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person’s chance of developing or
Results provided through genetic testing enables doctors to be more informed in terms of their patients; allows regular screening practices, or treatment planning at early stages.
According to Chrystoja and Diamandis (2013), targeted genome testing is less costly than some traditional testing methods, is effective in assisting decision making for certain neoplastic medications and is useful in guiding the proper testing for certain diseases such as Lynch Syndrome. In addition, genetic makeup determines the pharmacokinetics of certain drugs and genome testing may assist in medication therapies. Studies indicate that genetic predisposition determines the effectiveness of 20% to 95% of prescribed medications (Bartlett, 2011). With DNA information, a physician can prescribe a tailored medication treatment that will benefit the
These results may also help doctors make recommendations for treatment or monitoring, and give people more information for making decisions about their and their family's health, allowing them to take steps to lower his/her chance of developing a disease. For example, as the result of such a finding, someone could be screened earlier and more frequently for the disease and/or could make changes to health habits like diet and exercise. Such a genetic test result can lower a person's feelings of uncertainty, and this information can also help people to make informed choices about their future, such as whether to have a baby or
Schottenfeld discusses what can cause cancer, how to survive this deadly disease physically, mentally, and emotionally, genetic risks of cancer, moralities, and incidence. The book contains five sections. These sections are labeled Basic Concepts, The Magnitude of Cancer, The Causes of Cancer, Cancer by Tissue of Origin, and Cancer Prevention and Control.
Personal health and wellbeing is important to everyone and being able to diagnose potential diseases early on is crucial to preventative care, therefore, patients should have full access to their DNA analysis as well as health reports. Having data on DNA analysis allows an individual to mentally and physically prepare for a particular disease or illness and helps them proactively find a treatment for the disease. The book The Patient Will See You Now by Eric Topol discussed about a woman named Elena Simon, who developed a rare type of liver cancer called “fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma” which affects about 200 young people yearly. Elena ultimately worked with her surgeon to sequence the tumor specimen and discovered a gene mutation present in the disease. This discovery was then utilized to
Genetics are the foundation of every human make up, but most people have little to no knowledge of their own foundation. Though some people believe that the encryption of their genetics ruins the surprise in life, other people want to be as prepared as possible for any issues that are encoded in their genetics and cannot be prevented. Genetic counselors test people of any age to uncover a mysterious condition. Counselors can find the likelihood that an adult will develop cancer or will develop a condition that starts in the late stages of life. With the new knowledge, a patient can be better prepared for their future. Counselors can also complete prenatal work by focusing on the parents’ genetics. They test for conditions like down syndrome
Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) and LS (also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) combined likely affect 1 in 250 individuals in the general population, therefore, suggests that primary care providers (PCP) actively cares for a number of these individuals and their family members (Metcalf, Tanner, Buchanan, 2010). Failure to identify and manage individuals with HBOC and LS can result in more harm and increase poor cancer prognosis (Metcalf, Tanner, Buchanan, 2010; Rosato et al., 2013). There are a number of guidelines from prominent organizations including the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and Evaluation of Genomic Applications in Practice and Prevention suggesting that identification of HBOC and LS patients can improve outcomes through enhanced screening and preventive measures (Metcalf, Tanner, Buchanan, 2010). Although not recognized as a universal agreement, the best approaches to high risk individuals with HBOC and Lynch syndrome is a primary care setting, until there is universal agreement with improved identification of LS risk measures (Metcalf, Tanner, Buchanan, 2010). Researchers are exploring recommendations to offer genetic testing for LS to all individuals with diagnosed CRC, with the intent of reducing morbidity and mortality in family members (Bellcross et al., 2011). Currently there are no significant efforts on a national level to facilitate widespread genetic screening to prevent LS adult onset conditions in family members of affected individuals using a public health model (Bellcross et al., 2011). The same concepts and processes used in newborn universal screening are being considered as a model for implementing universal LS screening on a population level (Bellcross et al., 2011). In recognizing universal LS
The sequencing of the human genome has a new approach to health care in regards to promotion, maintenance, and treatment. Genetic research is defined as a new approach to a better understanding of the genetic components of common diseases: Cancer, diabetes, stroke, and creating new gene-based technologies for screening, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of both rare and common diseases. Nurses are a main aspect within the first line of care, and therefore will contribute fully in genetic-based and genomic-based practice activities such as collecting family history, obtaining informed consent for genetic testing, and administering gene-based therapies. Lea, D, (January 31, 2008). My paper is based on an article Genomics in the public
If you have ever had a family with stomach cancer, you need to be more careful. According to many studies, people who have a family history of cancer have a greater risk of the cancer. It seems that genetic factors remain the greatest determinant of a person's likelihood of
A nurse learns that a patient’s parent died at a young age from colon cancer. The nurse would recognize that the patient and any siblings are at risk for familial adenomatous polyposis, a familial cancer syndrome (Lea, Skirton, Read , & Williams, 2011).
Background: 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.