CANCER AND HERIDITY

Cancer can also be described as the disease of the genes. It is the master molecule of the cell present in the DNA. These genes produce proteins which are responsible for body building. These proteins are responsible for all the metabolic and physical actions performed in the body. Human cells have a high rate of replacement. This replacement process is carried out from birth to death. There are some genes which produce proteins that regulate the growth characteristics of the cells. Any abnormality or mutation in a DNA molecule can make the genes to produce faulty proteins. These proteins in turn produce unwanted cells which divide uncontrollably resulting in cancer. Majority of the cancers are caused by alterations in DNA resulting from environmental factors. These factors include carcinogens and several other radiations. Off springs inherit genes (transcript genetic information) from parent cell which influences him/her to get cancer. Almost one-tenth of the cancers are purely genetic. There is a scientific confirmation that both environmental as well as genetic factors play a role. Cancers caused by heredity includes uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer. Even inheritance of some of the psychological parental qualities can contribute to cancer.