Medical Interventions 3.2

Allele

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

BRCA

Either of the two tumor suppressor genes 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 deceased or abnormal tissue (as a tumor or wart) is destroyed or removed by freezing (as by the use of liquid nitrogen)

Familial Cancer

Cancer that occurs in families more often than would be expected by chance. These cancers often occur at an early age, and may indicate the presence of a gene mutation that increases the risk of cancer. They may also be a sign of shared environmental or lifestyle factors.

Genetic Marker

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

Hereditary Cancer

Caused by mutations passed on from parents to their children or other blood relatives may share this same gene.

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. The gene mutation is analyzed using a genetic marker instead of directly analyzing the gene itself.

Microsatellite (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 the melanocytes of normal skin or moles and metastasizes rapidly and widely. (Skin cancer)

Sporadic Cancer

Arise from gene damage acquired from environmental exposures, dietary factors, hormones, normal aging, and other influences. Most acquired gene changes are not inherited.

Screening

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

Virologist

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

Preventative Measures for Breast Cancer

Nutrition

Physical Activity

Prophylactic Surgeries

Hormonal or Anti-estrogen Therapy

Prophylactic Surgeries

Surgery to remove one or more breaths to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer; can reduce the risk by 95%.

Ovaries and Fallopian tubes can also be removed.

Hormonal or Anti-Estrogen Therapy

Blocks and lowers the amount of estrogen in the body (hormone affected in breast cancer).

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Sexually transmitted infection

Causes abnormal

Main cause of cervical cancer

Linked to throat and mouth cancer

Vaccine available

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)

Types of herpes simplex virus known for causing infectious mononucleosis (mono)

Infects and stays in B lymphocytes

Increases risk of Nasopharyngeal Cancer and Burkitt Lymphoma

Linked to Hodgkin diseases and stomach cancer

No vaccine or medication available

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Known to cause liver cancer

Vaccine available

Mammogram

Breast Cancer Screening Test, done at age 40 in females

Colorectal Cancer Screening Test

High-sensitivity stool based test

Colonoscopy

Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)

A region of DNA composed of a short sequence of nucleotides repeated many times.

behavioral risk factors

behaviors that increase the chances of disease, injury, or premature death

genetic risk factors

relate to genes inherited from your parents

environmental risk factors

characteristics of your surroundings that may expose you to injury or disease

Osteosarcoma

bone cancer

Pap smear

Test for early detection of cervical cancer; scraping of cells removed from cervix for examination under microscope.

genetic marker

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

most common cancer in the US

skin cancer

ABCDE's of Skin cancer

asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolving

prostate cancer

cancer of the prostate gland, usually occurring in African American men middle-aged and older

urologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the urinary system of females and the genitourinary system of males

gastroenterologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the stomach and intestines

dermatologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin

oncologist

a physician who studies and treats tumors

basal cell carcinoma

Most common and least severe type of skin cancer; generally does not spread

squamous cell carcinoma

Type of skin cancer more serious than basal cell carcinoma; often characterized by scaly red papules or nodules.

low dose CT scan

1/5 of the radiation of a standard CT scan, used to screen for lung cancer.

FOBT

fecal occult blood test, used to screen for colorectal cancer.

PSA test

measurement of levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood

Relative Mobility (Rf)

ratio of the distance each protein(DNA) migrates to that of the tracking dye