Breast Cancer : A Genetic Disorder

Describe the three-pronged approach to early detection of breast masses: mammography, clinical breast exam, and self-awareness.

Breast cancer is a disease in which certain cells in the breast become abnormal and multiply uncontrollably to form a tumor. Breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. (Only skin cancer is more common.) About one in eight women in the United States will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Researchers estimate that more than 230,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in U.S. women in 2015. Cancers occur when a buildup of mutations in critical genes—those that control cell growth and division or repair damaged DNA—allow cells to grow and divide uncontrollably to form a tumor. Breast cancer can be caused by inherited genetic factors. These genetic

Breast cancer is the most common cancer that affects women in the United States. There are at least two majors genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) that when they mutate can cause breast cancer. These genes can be passed from parent to child, increasing the risk of developing cancer in those child that have parent carrying these genes. BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are located on chromosome 17 and chromosome 13 respectively. There is a 90% chance of developing breast cancer for a woman that has these mutated genes. In contrast, men carrying BRCA1 have no risk to develop breast cancer, but those carrying BRCA2 genes have high risk. It is important to note that mutations in these genes can be passed on to children by either parent. A man with a mutation is just

     Breast cancer, a very painful disease emotionally and physically for women, can also be detected with genetic testing. The majority of cases of breast cancer are not the result of known inherited mutations, but rather from two breast cancer susceptibility genes: BRCA1 and BRCA2. Although the two genes are similar, BRCA1 mutations lead to estrogen receptor negative

The process of unraveling the mysteries of the human genome creates enormous possibilities in the world of science. Knowing where on our chromosomes a specific gene lies allows scientists to look inside the human body with more intensity than any X-ray could ever achieve. By analyzing the genetic make-up of human beings, scientists can track diseases back to their most fundamental stages. In recent years, scientists have discovered two genes that play a role in the development of various kinds of cancer in both men and women. With the additional ability to test individuals for their possession of deformed copies of these genes, many ethical questions have been raised. Although the

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations and breast cancer seem to be distributed among a variety of populations.

Three-quarters of all breast cancer patients are not in any of the groups considered at increased risk for breast cancer, indicating that not all risk factors are understood. As a result, doctors recommend that every woman should familiarize herself with the techniques for monthly breast self-examination. X-ray examination of the breasts, a technique called mammography, can detect tumors before they are large enough to be felt and increase the odds for successful treatment. The American Cancer Society recommends that women over age 40

“Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer syndrome (HBOC) is an inherited tendency to develop breast, ovarian and other cancers. Inherited conditions are passed to an individual through their blood relatives. Although most cancers are not inherited, about 5% of people who have breast cancer and about 10% of women who have ovarian cancer have HBOC” (Patient Education Online, 2013). “HBOC is caused by an inherited change in a gene, called a mutation. The majority of HBOC is due to a mutation in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes” (Patient Education Online, 2013). There are many risks for people with HBOC. These risks include having a higher risk of getting breast cancer (40% to 87% lifetime risk), a higher than usual risk of breast cancer before age

BRCA1 is a gene that produces tumor suppression proteins which play critical roles in DNA repair, cell cycle checkpoint control, and maintenance of genomic stability. Inherited mutated BRCA1 causes DNA damage to not be repaired properly and these cells can then form genetic alterations leading to female breast cancer (Easton 1999). Breast cancer is a disease where malignant cancer cells form in the tissue of the breast and invade surrounding tissues and spread.

Breast Cancer is hideous form of cancer in the breasts that affect mostly women but can also affect men. It is

(Treatment of breast cancer) Stage 1 breast cancer is indicated when the tumour is still within the breast tissue and is no larger then 2 centimetres. Stage 2 breast cancer is when cancer cells can now be detected within the lymph nodes of the armpit, the tumour is now greater than 2 centimetres. The tumour in stage 3 breast cancer can now be any size, cancer cells have spread to the chest wall and the lymph nodes near the breastbone. Stage 4 breast cancer is also know as invasive or metastatic breast cancer. The cancer cells have spread outside of the breast to other organs and tissues of the body. (Breast Cancer, Kathleen N. Lohr)

Women have been educated on breast self-awareness by regularly checking their breast for any abnormalities especially feelings of a lump. Breast cancer is one of the most shared cancers that a women may face. It can transpire at any age, but it is much more likely to happen after 40 years old and as a women gets older. Because of definite factors, some women may have a greater chance of having breast cancer than others. As a women is getting older she should know about breast cancer and what she can do about it.

The second issue presented is ‘biological’. This is based on the premise that there are ‘strong’ mutations and ‘weak’ mutations associated with differing degrees of risks and maybe different cancers. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation may not test positive the initial genetic screening due to level of significance.2 Also, in 1995, Ponder strongly suspected that breast cancer may have 4 or more genetic indicators in addition to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.12 In other words, If BRAC1 and 2 test did not test positive, then another defective gene may be responsible for breast cancer for the development of cancer2. Further investigation reported by the Journal of Nature Genetics in Figure 1, concluded that “familial breast cancer (left) constitutes only 5-10% of total breast cancer (right). The genes known to be involved in familial breast cancer (BRCA1 and BRCA2) account for only 20% of familial

The BRCA1 gene mutation is a human gene that produce tumor suppressor proteins. These proteins help repair damaged DNA and play an important role in ensuring the stability of the cells genetic material. This is important because if the damaged DNA is not repaired properly and is mutated, these mutated cells are more likely to develop additional generic alterations that in turn can lead to cancer. In my opinion, I think that the BRCA1 gene mutation may not be able to predict breast cancer in the future because as time goes on, and we advance in medical technology and we understand more and more about this type of cancer, it will start to become more treatable and we will be able to predict and tell the signs of breast cancer a lot quicker than

It all starts off as a big puzzle, you have all these pieces that connect together that leads to a sequence of numbers. These numbers may be in order and fit perfectly into your puzzle, but then there is that one out of place piece that makes the puzzle not complete, that essentially is what the BRCA 1 gene mutation is, just a misplaced puzzle piece. The BRCA 1 gene mutation can go by many names like breast cancer 1, early onset or IRIS, but no matter what name you call it, it still inflicts some questions and concerns. The BRCA 1 gene mutation is a human gene that produces tumor suppressor proteins located on chromosome 17 at position 21. These proteins when not mutated, help repair damaged DNA and play a role in ensuring the stability of one 's cellular genetic material. When the gene becomes mutated, faulty, or altered it has the reverse effects. The protein sometimes does not form or forms incorrectly, therefore leading to DNA damage that may not be repaired properly. This results in an unfinished puzzle piece, which leads to the development of genetic alterations, in other words, could increase your risks of certain cancers. The BRCA 1 gene mutation is just like all other genes is inherited and passed on by your family, but it does not mean you will have the mutation. The BRCA 1 gene mutation can be inherited from either of your parents when one of your parents carries the mutation you have a fifty percent chance of inheriting the mutation. If you do inherit this