Download Biology_DNA Mutation Project

Tanisha Shridhar and Kelly Slazinski
Mr. Steinman
Honors Biology A-2
Gene
 Exact name of gene- BRCA1 AND BRCA2 : belong
to class of genes known as tumor suppressors.
Mutations of this genes have been linked to
hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
 Name of protein coded for by gene- RING finger
protein 53
Symptoms of Disorder
 Breast lump or lump in the armpit that is hard, has
uneven edges, and usually does not hurt.
 Change in the size, shape, or feel of the breast or
nipple—for example, you may have redness,
dimpling, or puckering that looks like the outside
skin of an orange.
 Fluid coming from the nipple—may be bloody,
clear to yellow, green, and look like pus
Symptoms of Advanced Breast
Cancer
 Bone pain
 Breast pain or discomfort
 Skin ulcers
 Swelling of one arm(next to the breast with cancer)
 Weight loss
Treatment
 Treatment is based on many factors including: type
and stage of cancer, whether the cancer
overproduces(over expresses)a gene called HER2/neu,
and if the cancer is sensitive to certain hormones
 General treatments- chemotherapy: medicines to kill
cancer cells; radiation therapy: to destroy cancerous
tissue
 Specific treatments - Surgery to remove cancerous
tissue: a lumpectomy removes the breast lump;
mastectomy removes all or part of the breast and
possible nearby structures
Treatment (cont.)
 Different stages have different treatments
 Stage O and DCIS -- Lumpectomy plus radiation or
mastectomy is the standard treatment. There is some
controversy on how best to treat DCIS.
 Stage I and II -- Lumpectomy plus radiation or mastectomy
with some sort of lymph node removal is the standard
treatment. Hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and biologic
therapy may also be recommended following surgery.
 Stage III -- Treatment involves surgery, possibly followed by
chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biologic therapy.
 Stage IV -- Treatment may involve surgery, radiation,
chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or a combination of
these treatments.
Inheritance
 Most women do NOT
develop breast cancer
 Two ways to get itinherit from parents
(familial cancer) or after
conception(sporadic
cancers)
Living a Normal Life?
 It is very possible to live a normal life
 It can be an emotional and physical
challenge for the person with the
cancer, but for their family members
as well.
 A couple things to do if you feel sad
when you have cancer are—
 Talk it out: Talk to someone you
trust. Say everything. Hold back
nothing. Be honest, and let each
emotion pass through you.
 Cry: Whether you’re alone or having
a heart-to-heart with a close friend or
loved one, let it out. If you feel like
you may start to cry—just cry. You
may very well feel better afterward.
 Try to have faith: If you were
raised in a religion, consider
whether or not it would offer
you comfort and insight into
the meaning of life’s challenges
today. If you have always been
curious,
perhaps
start
attending prayer sessions, or
speak with a priest, rabbi,
imam, or other person of faith.
 Be patient: You don’t have to
dwell on your diagnosis or
what surgery, chemo, or
other treatments will or won’t
accomplish.
For more information:
 Visit: http://www.breastcancer.org/
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/
 Breast Cancer organizations: http://ww5.komen.org/
“ Thanks to events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®
and the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure®, and generous
contributions from our partners, sponsors and fellow
supporters, we have become the largest source of nonprofit
funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.”
Other:
 There
are some selfexaminations you can do
at home to see if you have
breast cancer or not, such
as this one:
Works Cited
A.D.A.M Inc. "Breast Cancer - PubMed Health." 28 Dec.
2010. Web. 18 Apr. 2011.
Barbour S Warren, Ph.D., Cornell University Division of
Nutritional Science, and Carol Devine, Ph.D.,
Extension Project Leader BCERF. "Family History,
Inheritance, and Breast Cancer Risk." Breast
Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors. 1 Apr.
2004. Web. 18 Apr. 2011.
Cancer Information. "Breast Cancer Can Be an
Emotional Challenge as Well as a Physical One."
May 2011. Web. 18 Apr. 2011.
Works Cited (cont.)
National Cancer Institute. "BRCA1 and BRCA2: Cancer
Risk and Genetic Test- National Cancer
Institute." Comprehensive Cancer Information National Cancer Institute. 29 May 2009. Web. 17
Apr. 2011.