Cancer is perhaps one of the most irksome diseases whose causes are often elusive and unrecognizable. The etiological agents of cancer are difficult to estimate and it is not attributed to purely genetic or purely environmental factors, and therefore, cancer research has been largely focused on the interaction between genes and the environment (Mucci et al., 2001). A large number of studies have investigated the possible causes of various types of cancers, implicating diet, heredity and environment as its major determinants. Most diseases are a result of complex interactions between a person’s genetic make-up and the environmental agents he/she is exposed to (NIEHS, 2011). Therefore, the possibility of the involvement of gene-environment interactions in the occurrence of cancers is being investigated worldwide.
Gene-Environment Interactions
A disease occurs when there is an interaction between “genetic susceptibility factors” and “modifiable environmental factors”, and variations in the genetic make-up of an individual influence his/her susceptibility to environmental factors that are responsible for a disease (CDC, 2000). Therefore, owing to genetic variation, some individuals are more susceptible to a particular disease than others are, and these variations govern the extent of effect a particular environmental condition has on the risk of a disease in an individual.
Can Gene-Environment Interactions be Measured?
Gene-environment interaction can be defined as that which occurs when a “genetic and environmental exposure work together to cause a disease outcome in some or all cases” (Brennan, 2002). Since the genetic make-up of an individual determines the susceptibility to environmental carcinogens, researchers are toiling t...
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Breast cancer is the second leading cancer to cause death in women. A combination of factors contributes to the etiology of breast cancer, such as genetic and environmental dynamics [ACS, 2014]. One particular area of interest is the study of metalloestrogens, which are inorganic compounds that can bind to the estrogen receptor and mimic the biological functions of estrogen in breast cancer cells. Arsenic is one such metalloestrogen and has been classified as carcinogenic to humans [IARC]. Studies in humans have shown that long-term exposure to arsenic is associated with bladder, kidney, lung and liver cancers [1,2,3]. Arsenic exposure has also been correlated with an increase in the incidence of breast cancer [4]. People can be exposed to arsenic in different settings such as in the workplace, in drinking water or from medical treatments. Through these methods of exposure, various mechanisms of internalization can take place through inhalation, ingestion, or through skin contact. We hypothesize that prolonged arsenic exposure results in the expression of genes that promote breast cancer progression. In this study, we propose to investigate the effect of prolonged arsenic exposure on gene expression, by comparing the global gene expression of a breast cancer cell line that has been chronically exposed to low-dose arsenic with that of a control cell line. Genes found to be differentially expressed in arsenic adapted cells will be examined further. We also aim to extend our understanding of the direct effect of arsenic, by studying the signal pathway that results in gene expression when arsenic binds to the estrogen receptor.
convinced that a person’s genes play a role, as well as a variety of environmental factors.
My sister, Kathy, was diagnosed with cancer in 2013. I was shocked because my sister was always the healthy one among all us girls, the type of cancer, Kathy called colon cancer, Cancer that forms in the tissues of the colon. Most oncogene mutations of indisputable normal genes designate proto-oncogenes. Proto-oncogenes determine the “excellent” genes that usually rule what cell do and the way typically it distribute. Once a factor mutates (changes) into cell, it come back a "hurtful" factor that may become usefulness on or activated once it's not believe to be. Once this occurs, the cell becomes out of management, which might pass to cancer. As scientists learn additional throughout oncogenes, they will be powerful to develop a medication that inhibits or restrain them.
In the United States 85 to 90 percent of all lung cancer cases are related to smoking. Cigarette smoking is the main cause of lung cancer (Scientific American, “Lung Cancer';). Second-hand smoke, inhaled by non-smokers, increases a person’s chance of acquiring lung cancer (Beau Halton). Men who smoke increase their chance of dying from lung cancer about 23 times and women increase their chances 13 times (“Lung Cancer Awareness Campaign,'; 3/23/99). However, lung cancer may also be caused by long term exposure to radon, a naturally present radioactive gas (SIRS, “What is Cancer?';). The residue of burned petroleum and coal can contribute to lung cancer (Scientific American, “Lung Cancer';). The development of lung cancer seems to be also affected by genes. The gene histidine triad blocks the formation of tumors, so a defective gene could make one more likely to form a tumor (Microsoft, “Lung Cancer';).
Young, S. (2011, December). Report: Certain environmental exposures can increase breast cancer risk. CNNHealth.com. Retrieved March 31, 2014, from www.thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/07/iom-certain-environmental-exposures-can-increase-breast-cancer-risk/.
Because genetic makeup of monozygotic twins is nearly identical, phenotypic traits and heritable diseases such as autoimmune disease, cardiovascular, cancer, asthma and diabetes and mental health disease are often matching and manifest in both siblings, however these diseases can happen in only one sibling, suggesting other factors are involved such as environment playing a role in determining phenotypic differences (Genome, 2017). Epigenetic modifications, cellular changes that influence expression of genes are now widely recognised to influence phenotype and frequently occur in disease. As well as this, environmental factors such as diet and chemical exposure can change the epigenetic status of genes (Genome,
The American Cancer Society publishes current advances made in cancer research on their website. Many of the exciting discoveries about how best to treat the disease focus on the genetic aspects associated with certain types of cancer. In addition, treatments aimed at genetic solutions to cancer may be more effective and may cause fewer adverse side effects than traditional cancer treatments (American Can...
The mechanisms by which cancer occurs are incompletely understood. The cancer is thought to develop from cells with changed the typical mechanisms for manage of proliferation and growth. Recent proofs strengthen the notion of carcinogenesis as a genetically regulated multistage process (Mediana et al., 2008).
For years people have tried to figure out one big question. What is the real cause of cancer? After much research, the statistics say that cancer is a disease of the modern world (Stevenson 1). A few main factors that cause cancer are the use of tobacco, industrial agents, and a person’s weight and diet. (Landau 2-4). The modern environment and everyday lifestyle of people contain factors that cause cancer.
Fewer than ten percent of most cancers are thought to be due to strong hereditary factors. Many physicians believe that prevention is the best way to effectively tackle cancer. One of those factors in prevention is the individual knowing their family history so that they can develop an awareness of their families' cancer lineage. Other factors are a balanced diet, not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption and exercise. Strong hereditary factors that increase cancer risk are more likely to be found in families that have:
Studies have also shown that genetics also plays a part in illnesses and diseases that c...
CHEMICHALS: Scientist have defined hundreds of chemicals that can cause cancer in animals. These chemicals are also a cancer hazard for human beings if they become widespread in food supply, the general environment, or the living and working environment. In most cases, a chemical carcinogen enters the food supply as a food addi...
Most people believe that biological factors play a huge role in members of a family becoming ill. We often think that our genetic makeup will ultimately lead our health down the same paths as earlier members of our families that have suffered from illnesses. While this concept may appear to be rather common, genetic factors show likelihood that the possibility is there, but not a certitude. In some cases of cardiovascular problems or cancer, having the genes create predispositions or proneness to a specific type of action; however, to say it would be without a doubt would be a fallacy.
The environment and health are very closely linked. The environment in which we inhabit and go about our daily lives, directly impacts on our physical, mental and social well-being. There are biological, chemical and physical factors that can affect human health in a physical and mental way. The World Health Organisation states that "health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (WHO 1948), meaning that although many factors relating to health are associated with environmental pollution, they can also be caused by the environment in which we work and live in. The relationship between the environment and health, can however be quite complex. Human health is not only as a result of air, water and ground pollution, but also things such as food, genetics, life style and quality, which directly affect human susceptibility to illness, disease and possibly death. Disruptions to the environment, such as substance dispersal, climate change, acidification, ground pollution, photochemical air pollution and over fertilisation can also impact on human health. Therefore, there are direct and indirect links to the environment and health issues.
The problem of heredity and environment must be thought of not only as specific to each characteristic and to each environment, but as specific to each individual in respect to each of his characters and to each factor of environment. We cannot speak of a good or of a bad environment except in terms of a particular characteristic of particular individual and particular environmental factors ( John Mcleish).