ROLE OF MUTATION IN GENES

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ROLE OF MUTATION IN GENES

Carcinogenesis is a multi-stage process in which damage to a cell’s genetic material changes the cell from normal to malignant. The damage gradually accumulates in the cell’s growth regulatory system.

Cancer begins with a genetic defect. Human’s genetic factors, meaning genes, are located within the cell structures called chromosomes. Genes control cell functions, such as their distribution. Genes may undergo changes, or mutations, if the cell’s regulatory system fails. A single genetic fault will not usually be enough to cause cancer. Cancer develops when mutations take place in genes that play a crucial role in regulating cell growth and differentiation.

So-called cancer genes are genes that control a cell’s normal functions but which are simply damaged.

There are two kinds of cancer genes:

  • Oncogenes, which are cancer generating genes, whose activation causes an uncontrollable distribution of cell tissue;
  • Tumour suppressor genes or anti-cancer genes whose cancer inducing effect is due to the cessation of their activity ceases.

Damage to genetic material happens continually in many cells. But the human body contains a defence system developed over a long period, and this is able to repair the damage. If the system breaks down, damaged cells can start to divide uncontrollably, eventually leading to carcinogenesis.

A cancerous tumour contains billions of cancer cells. A cancer cell has to divide many thousands of times before a tumour is even the size of a pea. It can take years before a tumour is visible on an X-ray or can be felt by hand. But it can also grow much more rapidly

To know more about cancer visit https://www.imedpub.com/cancer-epidemiology-and-prevention/

Media Content

Roslin
Journal Coordinator

Journal of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention