Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

19. Cancer Genetics

Cancer Mutations

Genetics

19. Cancer Genetics

Cancer Mutations

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1:29 minutes

Problem C.9d

Textbook Question

Go to the website http://www.cancer.gov and select 'Cancer Types' on the top menu bar. Scroll down to 'Breast Cancer' and click. Select 'Cases & Prevention' from the options. Click 'More information' and select 'BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing'. Use the information on this page to answer the following questions. Are there measures a woman with a positive result can take to lessen her chances of developing cancer or to catch a cancer early in its development?

Verified step by step guidance

This question is about understanding genetic risk factors and preventive measures related to BRCA mutations, which are linked to breast cancer risk.

First, recognize that BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes where certain mutations can significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Next, explore the information on the specified website section about BRCA mutations, focusing on recommended strategies for women who test positive for these mutations.

Identify the preventive measures mentioned, which may include increased surveillance (such as more frequent mammograms or MRI scans), lifestyle changes, chemoprevention (using medications to reduce risk), and prophylactic surgeries (such as mastectomy or oophorectomy) to reduce cancer risk.

Finally, understand that early detection strategies aim to catch cancer at an early, more treatable stage, while preventive surgeries and medications aim to lower the overall risk of developing cancer.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

BRCA Gene Mutations and Cancer Risk

BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that produce proteins responsible for repairing DNA damage. Mutations in these genes can significantly increase a woman's risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. Understanding these mutations helps assess individual cancer risk and guides decisions about prevention and screening.

Preventive Measures for High-Risk Individuals

Women with positive BRCA mutations can take preventive actions such as increased surveillance, chemoprevention, or risk-reducing surgeries like mastectomy or oophorectomy. These measures aim to lower the chance of cancer development or detect it early when treatment is more effective.

Early Detection and Screening Strategies

Early detection involves regular screening methods like mammograms, MRI, and clinical breast exams, especially for high-risk women. These strategies help identify cancer at an early stage, improving treatment outcomes and survival rates.

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Textbook Question

Why do most cancers require the mutation of multiple genes?

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Textbook Question

Based on what you read in this chapter, Can a tumor arise from a single mutated cell? Are all the cells in a tumor identical?

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Textbook Question

The inheritance of certain mutations of BRCA1 can make it much more likely that a woman will develop breast or ovarian cancer in her lifetime. Can you say with certainty that a woman inheriting a mutation of BRCA1 will definitely develop breast or ovarian cancer in her lifetime? Why or why not?

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Textbook Question

The inheritance of certain mutations of BRCA1 can make it much more likely that a woman will develop breast or ovarian cancer in her lifetime. In addition to inheriting a BRCA1 mutation, what else must happen for a woman to develop breast or ovarian cancer?

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Textbook Question

Define tumor-suppressor genes. Why is a mutated single copy of a tumor-suppressor gene expected to behave as a recessive gene?

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Textbook Question

Go to the website http://www.cancer.gov and select 'Cancer Types' on the top menu bar. Scroll down to 'Breast Cancer' and click. Select 'Cases & Prevention' from the options. Click 'More information' and select 'BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing'. Use the information on this page to answer the following questions. With regard to the results of genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, what is meant by a 'positive result'?

350

views

Textbook Question

Go to the website http://www.cancer.gov and select 'Cancer Types' on the top menu bar. Scroll down to 'Breast Cancer' and click. Select 'Cases & Prevention' from the options. Click 'More information' and select 'BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing'. Use the information on this page to answer the following questions. What are the approximate percentage increases in risk of having breast cancer and of having ovarian cancer for women inheriting harmful mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 compared with the risks in the general population?

402

views

Textbook Question

Go to the website http://www.cancer.gov and select 'Cancer Types' on the top menu bar. Scroll down to 'Breast Cancer' and click. Select 'Cases & Prevention' from the options. Click 'More information' and select 'BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing'. Use the information on this page to answer the following questions. What features of family history increase the likelihood that a woman will have a harmful mutation of BRCA1 or BRCA2?

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