Hundreds of studies are being conducted on cancer, the most feared disease of today, and according to the results of research, new research is always being conducted on the causes, factors and symptoms of cancer formation. In the process from the past to the present, scientists are studying gene structures on the grounds that they increase the risk of developing cancer. If there is a mistake in the genes we have, it causes us to face the risk of cancer in the future. Dr., who works in the gastroenterology department. Meral Sözen states at every opportunity that most of the cancers seen in the lower and upper digestive systems have a “genetic” factor. When it comes to a family history of cancer, can cancers diagnosed as having a “genetic” origin be prevented? etc. it also brings to mind various questions such as. In this content, where you can find answers to many questions, such as what are the genetic types of cancer, is cancer passed through the family, you can also find what needs to be done for those who have a family history of cancer.
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Invitation to Cancer: Cancerous Cells
The gene structures that some people have can make them prone to certain types of cancer. There are 25,000 genes in 23 chromosomes located in the nucleus of cells, and how the body grows and develops depends on these chromosomes and genes. Errors or mutations in many genes contained in the cell are called cancer. These cells, which divide and multiply for many reasons, also cause cancer to grow. Here, as a result of the research carried out, the source of genes, that is, the genetic characteristics of our families, is reached.
It is undoubtedly a fact that we carry the hereditary characteristics of our parents. Cancers with genetic factors, of course, are not based on genetics alone. Cancer is caused by genetic factors as well as “the sun, smoking, etc." external factors such as the biggest factor in the formation of cancer. However, it should be noted that many of the genes protect us against cancer. They do this protection by correcting DNA damage while cells are dividing, but unfortunately there is no improvement in hereditary gene errors, and the risk of cancer increases with many factors from day to day.
If there is 1 faulty gene in the mother or father, there is a ½ percent chance that the gene will be passed on to each child. This explains the reason why 1 child of a family with many children has cancer. However, of course, we cannot say that a child born with a faulty gene will have 100% cancer in the future, but it is worth saying that he is at a great risk in the future.
What Should Be Done If There is a Family History of Cancer?
We are facing many types of cancer such as breast, ovary, colon, stomach, esophagus and blood today, and in fact none of us even realize how much risk we are at. For example, if you have a family member who has colon or stomach cancer, we definitely recommend that you get genetic counseling. Because it is very important to take early precautions against the possible risk of cancer in the future.
During genetic counseling, faulty genes are investigated and precautions are taken against planned cancerous genes. The best example of this is, of course, Angelina Jolie, who is currently undergoing gene screening against the risk of breast cancer. Angelina Jolie, who has a family history of breast cancer, recently underwent surgery for a BRCA1 (damaged gene) mutation, which allowed her to reduce the “possible risk of cancer to 1%”. For this reason, if there is a history of cancer in your family, it is useful to get genetic counseling from an oncological point of view.
