Fabiha Atiq
Freshman
School of Life Sciences
Independent University, Bangladesh
March 23rd, 2017
Ever wonder why people say your nose looks like your mom’s nose or that your eyes remind them of your dad? The answer to your question is DNA. DNA (deoxyribonuleic acid) determines characteristics that are passed from parents to children, such as blood type, hair colour, eye colour, etc.
Genes are made of DNA and they contain information to build and manage cells (smallest unit of life) in the body. The BRCA1 gene is a human tumor-suppressor gene, found in all human beings. BRCA1 stands for BReast CAncer susceptibility gene1.
Tumor-suppressor genes are genes that normally prevent cancer by controlling cell division. When they do not work properly cells start dividing rapidly and uncontrollably, which can lead to cancer. Mutations are changes in the genetic sequences that can lead to changes in their function. BRCA1 is a tumor suppressor gene; when it undergoes certain mutations it leads to an elevated risk for breast cancer.
When women are diagnosed with breast cancer, doctors may suggest a lumpectomy or surgical removal of the affected part of the breast. In extreme cases, a mastectomy, which is the surgical removal of the complete breast/breasts, may also be recommended. The purpose of these procedures is to treat and preemptively reduce chances of recurrence of breast cancer by surgically removing cancerous tissues, along with adjacent healthy tissue in the surrounding area.
The mutated BRCA1 gene increases the likelihood of developing breast cancer by 55% or more. While regular monitoring after detection of the mutated BRCA1 could effectively deal with the risk if cancer does arise, there have been a few cases of women opting for preventative mastectomy to avoid developing breast cancer in the future. Often, women who opt for preventative mastectomies are the ones who have a history of breast cancer in their family and are carriers of this mutation.
A famous case of preventative mastectomy that circulated on the internet was that of celebrity Angelina Jolie. She had both of her breasts surgically removed because she carried the mutated BRCA1 gene and was at high risk of getting cancer. Her mother, grandmother and aunt had all died from cancer. By opting for a preventative mastectomy, she showed women all over the world that this procedure can be a normal part of women's health, instead of a source of shame or embarrassment.
To put the public health burden of breast cancer into perspective, 508,000 women died from breast cancer in 2011 alone worldwide. Once they turn 40, all women should get themselves checked for breast cancer, or at least start thinking about it, according to recommendations from the American Cancer Society.
“Knowing it exists isn’t enough. Get informed. Pass it on.”– Breast Cancer Awareness Slogan.
Freshman
School of Life Sciences
Independent University, Bangladesh
March 23rd, 2017
Ever wonder why people say your nose looks like your mom’s nose or that your eyes remind them of your dad? The answer to your question is DNA. DNA (deoxyribonuleic acid) determines characteristics that are passed from parents to children, such as blood type, hair colour, eye colour, etc.
Genes are made of DNA and they contain information to build and manage cells (smallest unit of life) in the body. The BRCA1 gene is a human tumor-suppressor gene, found in all human beings. BRCA1 stands for BReast CAncer susceptibility gene1.
Tumor-suppressor genes are genes that normally prevent cancer by controlling cell division. When they do not work properly cells start dividing rapidly and uncontrollably, which can lead to cancer. Mutations are changes in the genetic sequences that can lead to changes in their function. BRCA1 is a tumor suppressor gene; when it undergoes certain mutations it leads to an elevated risk for breast cancer.
When women are diagnosed with breast cancer, doctors may suggest a lumpectomy or surgical removal of the affected part of the breast. In extreme cases, a mastectomy, which is the surgical removal of the complete breast/breasts, may also be recommended. The purpose of these procedures is to treat and preemptively reduce chances of recurrence of breast cancer by surgically removing cancerous tissues, along with adjacent healthy tissue in the surrounding area.
The mutated BRCA1 gene increases the likelihood of developing breast cancer by 55% or more. While regular monitoring after detection of the mutated BRCA1 could effectively deal with the risk if cancer does arise, there have been a few cases of women opting for preventative mastectomy to avoid developing breast cancer in the future. Often, women who opt for preventative mastectomies are the ones who have a history of breast cancer in their family and are carriers of this mutation.
A famous case of preventative mastectomy that circulated on the internet was that of celebrity Angelina Jolie. She had both of her breasts surgically removed because she carried the mutated BRCA1 gene and was at high risk of getting cancer. Her mother, grandmother and aunt had all died from cancer. By opting for a preventative mastectomy, she showed women all over the world that this procedure can be a normal part of women's health, instead of a source of shame or embarrassment.
To put the public health burden of breast cancer into perspective, 508,000 women died from breast cancer in 2011 alone worldwide. Once they turn 40, all women should get themselves checked for breast cancer, or at least start thinking about it, according to recommendations from the American Cancer Society.
“Knowing it exists isn’t enough. Get informed. Pass it on.”– Breast Cancer Awareness Slogan.
Fabiha is in her first year of IUB, and aspires to be a forensic scientist. She is a bookworm, a shutterbug, and loves to write.
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