Medical Interventions 3.2

Allele

Any of the alternative forms of a gene that may occur at a given locus

Dependent variable

The measured outcome of a study; the data

Independent variable

The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied

The dependent variable in the skin cancer lab

Amount of yeast growth

The independent variable in the skin cancer lab

Sunscreen or fabric

BRCA

Either of two tumor suppressor genes (BRCA 1 and BRCA 2) that in mutated form tend to be associated with an increased risk of certain cancers and especially breast and ovarian cancers

Cryosurgery

Surgery in which diseased or abnormal tissue (such as a tumor or wart) is destroyed or removed by freezing (by the use of liquid nitrogen)

Familial cancer

Cancer that tends to occur in families, often indicating a genetic predisposition or inherited mutations.

Genetic marker

Alteration in DNA that may indicate an increased risk of developing a specific disease or disorder

Hereditary cancer

Cancer that is passed down through generations in families, often linked to specific genetic mutations.

Marker analysis

A genetic technique whereby the sequence of the gene is not directly analyzed, but the mutant copy (allele) of the gene is inferred through analysis of a genetic marker

Microsatellite (also known as Short Tandem Repeats -STRs)

Any of numerous short segments of DNA that are distributed throughout the genome, that consist of repeated sequences of usually two to five nucleotides, and that are often useful markers in studies of genetic linkage because they tend to vary from one individual to another

Melanoma

A tumor of high malignancy that starts in melanocytes of normal skin or moles and metastasize as rapidly and widely

Model system

An organism chosen to study broad biological principles

Screening

To test or examine for the presence of something (As a disease)

Sporadic cancer

Cancer occurring occasionally, singly, or in scattered instances

Virologist

A specialist in virology, the branch of science that deals with viruses

Biological risk factors

Reduce these risks by being screened often and getting vaccinations (age, infections, sex)

Genetic risk factors

A gene can be inherited from parents that increases risk of cancer; (hereditary and familial cancer)

Environmental risk factors

Pollution, UV radiation, radiation

Behavioral risk factors

Diet, smoking, excessive sun exposure

BCC

basal cell carcinoma; forms in the lower layers of the epidermis

SCC

Squamous cell carcinoma; most common form of skin cancer; forms in the upper layers of the epidermis

Basal cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma

A

Asymmetry; ½ does not match the other ½

B

Border irregularities (no uniform edges)

C

Color: multi-colored

D

Diameter: greater than ¼ inch (pencil eraser)

E

Evolving: change in size and appearance over time

Pyrimidine antagonists

Inhibit the enzyme that makes pyrimidines (thymine, uracil, cytosine), which stops the production of DNA and RNA in skin cancer (sun sensitivity)

Genetic markers

Located in front of the gene in question; also known as STRs; identified with gel electrophoresis

Molecular tests/genetic markers

• identify people w gene for cancer

• Conduct marker analysis on family members

• Identify STR sizes using standard curve

• Compare STRs and identify alleles

• Analyze allele to see if there is a genetic connection

Breast cancer prevention

Prophylactic surgery (mastectomy and hysterectomy); hormone therapy to reduce estrogen; physical activity to strengthen immune system; nutrition to increase antioxidant levels and prevent cells from forming

How can viruses cause cancer?

Inject DNA into cells and cause infection —> prolonged infection leads to mutation —> mutation leads to cell immortality

HBV, HCV

hepatitis B/C virus; may lead to liver cancer

EBV

Epstein-Barr virus; cause of mononucleosis; may cause stomach cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, nasopharyngeal cancer

HPV

Human Papillomavirus; may cause cervical cancer

MCV

Merkel Cell Polyomavirus; rare type of skin cancer

HTLV-1

Human T-lymphotrophic Virus, type 1; may cause a type of leukemia

Mammography

X-ray image of the breasts to detect the presence of tumors or precancerous cells; women age 40; performed annually

Colonoscopy

Examination of the colon using a flexible colon scope to detect cancer or precancerous polyps; men and women age 45; performed every 5-10 years

PSA

Prostate-specific antigen blood test to detect the presence of prostate cancer; men age 55; performed every 2-3 years

Visual Screeninf Test

Exam for skin cancer (performed by you or a provider); men and women at any age; performed annually

Pap test

Examination of cells taken from the cervix; women age 21; performed every 3 years

Low does CT scan

1/5 of the radiation of a standard CT scan for lung cancer; men and women age 50 who are smokers; performed every year

Standard curve graph

Used to quantify an unknown using a standard data set

African Americans are at a greater risk for

Colon cancer, prostate cancer

The greatest risk factor for cancer is

Age

Diet is a risk factor for

Stomach, colon, and prostate cancer