Wilson Pon
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JessiccaBreast Cancer – men can have them too
November 1st 2007 05:26
Article extracted from Health and Beauty Malaysia
Image extracted from breasthealth.com.au
The month of October was the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but unfortunately the recent move to a new environment has tied me down with a lot of things needed to be cleaned and loads of outstanding work in the office needs to be completed.
Nevertheless it is always never too late to know about breast cancer, even though it isn’t the special October anymore. This article touches about breast cancer occurring to men although it is more of a norm to strike women. So what does the researchers have to say about breast cancer risk to men? Let’s have a look.
We all are aware that cancer comes from abnormal growth of cells. But do we know that who are the main controllers of our cell growth? The DNA. It is the camecal that carries the instructions for nearly everything our cells do.
There are a few genes in our DNA contain instructions for controlling when our cells grow, divide and die. They are called oncogenes. There is another that slows down cell division or cause cells to die at the appropriate time are called tumour suppressor genes. Cancers can be caused by DNA mutations (defects) that activate oncogenes or inactivate tumour suppressor genes. The more fearful part is that certain inherited DNA changes can cause a high risk of developing certain cancers and are responsible for cancers that run in some families.
DNA mutations
Most DNA mutations related to male breast cancer occur during life rather than having been inherited before birth. Acquired mutations of oncogenes and/or tumour suppressor genes may result from cancer causing chemicals in our environment or diet, but so far, studies have not identified any individual chemical in the environment or in our diet that appears responsible for these mutations or the subsequent male breast cancers.
Genetic risk factors
Some breast cancers are linked to inherited mutations of the BRCA tumour suppressor genes. Normally these genes make a protein that helps cells recognise and/or repair DNA damage and prevents them from growing abnormally. However if a person has inherited a mutated gene from either parent, the chances of developing breast cancer are higher.
In the case of women, mutations of 2 different BRCA genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) are responsible for about 5-10% of breast cancers. Women with either of these altered genes have a lifetime breast cancer risk of up to 85%.
However in men, so far it is detected that the BRCA2 gene is responsible for about 5-10% of breast cancer cases. Some studies have found even higher rates. The lifetime breast cancer risk for men with BRCA2 mutations is about 7%, which is nearly 100 times greater than other men. In Jewish men (they have studied) BRCA1 can play a role in a small number, and at this point of time, the role of BRCA1 mutations in male breast cancer is less clear.
Testing of your DNA from blood samples can determine if you have inherited a mutated BRCA2 gene. This should only be done if you have a strong family history if breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer suspected to be caused by the BRCA2 mutation.
If the test detects a mutated BRCA2 gene, you and your health care team can watch carefully for early signs of cancer. Mammography is very effective in finding early breast cancer in men. The health care team also can warn close male and female relatives that they also may be at risk.
Genetic testing
If you are considering genetic testing, you should speak to a genetic counsellor or a doctor specially qualified in interpreting and explaining these test results.
Image extracted from breasthealth.com.au
The month of October was the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but unfortunately the recent move to a new environment has tied me down with a lot of things needed to be cleaned and loads of outstanding work in the office needs to be completed.
Nevertheless it is always never too late to know about breast cancer, even though it isn’t the special October anymore. This article touches about breast cancer occurring to men although it is more of a norm to strike women. So what does the researchers have to say about breast cancer risk to men? Let’s have a look.
We all are aware that cancer comes from abnormal growth of cells. But do we know that who are the main controllers of our cell growth? The DNA. It is the camecal that carries the instructions for nearly everything our cells do.
There are a few genes in our DNA contain instructions for controlling when our cells grow, divide and die. They are called oncogenes. There is another that slows down cell division or cause cells to die at the appropriate time are called tumour suppressor genes. Cancers can be caused by DNA mutations (defects) that activate oncogenes or inactivate tumour suppressor genes. The more fearful part is that certain inherited DNA changes can cause a high risk of developing certain cancers and are responsible for cancers that run in some families.
DNA mutations
Most DNA mutations related to male breast cancer occur during life rather than having been inherited before birth. Acquired mutations of oncogenes and/or tumour suppressor genes may result from cancer causing chemicals in our environment or diet, but so far, studies have not identified any individual chemical in the environment or in our diet that appears responsible for these mutations or the subsequent male breast cancers.
Genetic risk factors
Some breast cancers are linked to inherited mutations of the BRCA tumour suppressor genes. Normally these genes make a protein that helps cells recognise and/or repair DNA damage and prevents them from growing abnormally. However if a person has inherited a mutated gene from either parent, the chances of developing breast cancer are higher.
In the case of women, mutations of 2 different BRCA genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2) are responsible for about 5-10% of breast cancers. Women with either of these altered genes have a lifetime breast cancer risk of up to 85%.
However in men, so far it is detected that the BRCA2 gene is responsible for about 5-10% of breast cancer cases. Some studies have found even higher rates. The lifetime breast cancer risk for men with BRCA2 mutations is about 7%, which is nearly 100 times greater than other men. In Jewish men (they have studied) BRCA1 can play a role in a small number, and at this point of time, the role of BRCA1 mutations in male breast cancer is less clear.
Testing of your DNA from blood samples can determine if you have inherited a mutated BRCA2 gene. This should only be done if you have a strong family history if breast cancer and/or ovarian cancer suspected to be caused by the BRCA2 mutation.
If the test detects a mutated BRCA2 gene, you and your health care team can watch carefully for early signs of cancer. Mammography is very effective in finding early breast cancer in men. The health care team also can warn close male and female relatives that they also may be at risk.
Genetic testing
If you are considering genetic testing, you should speak to a genetic counsellor or a doctor specially qualified in interpreting and explaining these test results.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Comment by Jessicca
Learning Something Everyday
Thanks for your encouragement. ^_^
I'll try to look for more information next round