Cancer cannot be inherited, but the risk of developing cancer can be. That is, the tendency to develop cancer runs in some families, as has been shown with the discovery of specific abnormal genes that make a woman more likely to develop breast cancer under certain conditions. The presence of genetic abnormalities doesn’t mean that the disease itself is hereditary, however.

In cancers with a hereditary component, an abnormal gene is passed from parent to child. However, a cell becomes abnormal during a person’s lifetime because of additional changes in the DNA such as a spontaneous gene mutation or a cancer-causing agent (carcinogen) in the environment. Asbestos, cigarette smoking, and some pesticides are well-known carcinogens. According to die information that is currently available, the majority of cancers appear to be the spontaneous variety rather than the inherited kind linked to predisposition.

Another extremely important point to remember is that many people who have either an inherited cancer gene or a gene that has mutated spontaneously do not develop the disease. The abnormal gene might mean a tendency to develop a cancer, but additional mutations must occur before a tumor can develop. In fact, most cancer cells have a number of different defects in their DNA. Thus, one abnormal gene rarely causes cancer.

Genetic Counseling Genetic counseling is a new and rapidly evolving field that is important for parents who are concerned that they may pass a disease, such as sickle-cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, or cancer, to their children. Genetic counselors interview couples about their family histories to determine what type of disease may have occurred in relatives. For example, because some cancers, such as breast and ovarian cancer, go together, women whose relatives have developed either type of cancer at a young age may be at risk for either type of cancer. Under certain circumstances, a genetic counselor may recommend that a person have his or her genes examined in the laboratory. If a genetic abnormality is identified, the counselor can then discuss the potential risks for them or their children, the need for regular screening, and preventive measures.

Although genetic counseling can be helpful in some cases, it also raises a number of difficult questions:

- Can something be done to prevent the cancer? If nothing can be done to prevent the cancer, can more frequent testing for the cancer, and early detection, at least make a difference in terms of treatment and recovery? – Will the information make the person’s life better or worse? That is, will worry about the possibility of developing cancer dominate the person’s thoughts, so that his or her quality of life is diminished? – Will the information be kept confidential, so that insurance companies and employers don’t have access to it? (Insurance companies and employers may discriminate against a person if genetic testing indicates that he or she has inherited a tendency to develop cancer.)

Because questions such as these sometimes have unsatisfactory answers, many people, understandably, avoid genetic testing. The decision to undergo genetic testing is a difficult and personal one. It should be made only after discussion with an expert in oncology or genetic counseling.

Medical patients, researchers, journalists, parliamentary representatives, and everyone is waiting for breakthroughs in science, together with the media of scientific progress and exciting for Possibly misleading. Our society is hungry for news and feature reports covering the time of design. May not be able to help people who have families and cancer, new discoveries quickly to control the condition of the laboratory experiment. However, clinical development. (The direct impact to patient care, slow and often “by inches”

Many came to see me a newspaper or magazine clippings touting miracle healing or articles from magazines medical report on the new treatment. Excellent personal and family costs, people tend to seek treatment is a reality is not better than the usual care. Many cancer in the country – art should not be treated as a success. Understandably, it is desperate, however, the early development of new technical presentations and scientific discoveries. – Either the popular media or the medical and scientific journals – it is a pity, since there is no reason to create hope. Careful clinical research has to prove that one treatment to another. To quote the new colleagues about the treatment, we should “test does not tout it.”

Articles submitted to medical journals prudent to check on the ground. Before the publication of the article published in the monitoring of these pairs – Journal of General Pre reliably transmitted equal Revised Although the article could be better. If the articles in medical journals jour sounds interesting, check carefully fully, but not too much news on the Internet or store not agree with press releases, a doctor first.

Many important advances in treatment have resulted from clinical trials, and many of the current treatment is a direct result of clinical research. But many questions remain as swerved-like following questions:

- A regime chemotherapeutic. Best for each cancer? – What is the timing of radiation therapy and adjutant therapy? – What is the most specific end of the treatment? – Can reduce the late effects of treatment will be edited by? – The complete novel treatment that may be used to maintain performance standards effective? Crucially important questions such as this is a significant number of national and international clinical trials, since the Support from the Cooperative Group and National Cancer Institute.

If you are interested in participating in clinical research your doctor or cancer. Center can tell you about a trial AP propriate, if not to the best place to find out from the National Cancer Institute’s PDQ-find medical information, including information on advanced treatment. Accepted for different cancers are associated with continued clinical investigation.