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Every cancer is a one of a kind problem

Posted by Dr Sandy on in Cancer, Hormones | 184 Views | Leave a response

every cancer is unique

The concept that the cells at the heart of cancer differ between individuals is not new. Already, breast cancers are classified based on these differences,  a cancer can be :    

  • estrogen positive or negative,   
  • HER-2 positive or negative.  

This vital information, helps doctor’s to select drugs which are likely to kill that particular cancer.  

Hoping to be able to identify new targets, researchers decided to unpack the genes coding 50 breast tumours.  The undertaking was enormous – requiring over 10 trillion chemical bases of DNA to be decoded.  

50 breast tumours –  1700  “mistakes”

All the tumours included in the study, started out falling into the category of estrogen receptor positive, which means that these cancer cells, were all being “switched on”,  by the hormone estrogen. 

The women in the study were being given drugs to lower their estrogen levels, so that the “on switch” was turned down.  Around 50 % of the women responded to the treatment, the rest didn’t.  Highlighting the need to understand what is going on at the genomic level.When the data from the trillion DNA codes was in.More-or-less the only thing the tumours had in common, was that estrogen switch.  Each tumour was unique from a genetic perspective.  The researchers found that within the 50 tumours examined,  there were 1700 different “mistakes” (mutations).

A few patterns emerged

Two genes popped up frequently 

  •  PIK3CA was found in 40 % of the tumours 
  • TP53 was found in 20 %  of the tumours 

Three genes appeared in around 10 % of the tumours MAP3K1, ATR and MYST3 .   

21 other genes were found to be mutated,  in two or three patients.   

Leaving  a lot of one of a kind, unique “mistakes”.   

The variability was astounding

The researchers were a little shocked to discover the huge amount of variation.   

The study did give them a few new targets to work with, but the huge variability dampened the hopes that personalized cancer treatment is just round the corner.     

Treating cancer is likely to remain a challenge in the foreseeable future.   

The best defence is a good offence 

It is estimated that every day,  1000 cells get it wrong – they make a mistake copying the DNA and create a genetic aberration.   But cancer is exceedingly rare.   

Despite the high error rate, the body has a sophisticated built in tumour surveillance system which is always scanning for nasty looking cells.  When they are identified the cells are immediately marked for destruction.   

You cannot change your genes, but you can influence the environment in which your cells find themselves.      

Avoid  the things  that increase the rate of mistakes, such as   

  • Nicotine
  • Alcohol
  • Obesity

 Try  to get  the 7 Big Spoons™ “right” , this will keep your internal tumour surveillance system in tip top shape  and so decrease the chances that one of those “mistakes”, takes you out.    

balance eicosanoids rein in insulin dial down stress sleep vitamin D microflora think
Balance Eicosanoids Rein in insulin Dial down stress Sleep ! Increase Vit D Culivate microflora Think champion

 Know someone who will find this post useful ? Share it on facebook, linkedin, twitter

 Further reading

broccoli being pulled apart by bacteria CLA yoghurt genetics v dinner plate
GUT bacteria salvage overcooked broccoli’s anti-cancer powers Colon cancer fat busting yoghurt coming to a supermarket shelf near you    It is not ALL in your genes but on your dinner plate

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Did you learn something new or do you have a different perspective ? I’d love to hear from you so post me a comment below…..

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Posted in Cancer, Hormones | Tagged Breast cancer, estrogen, HER-2, surveillance, tumour

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Located in Johannesburg, South Africa

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Disclaimer : The stories and articles are provided as a service. Dr Sandy's opinions are for information only, and are not intended to diagnose or prescribe. For your specific diagnosis and treatment, consult your doctor or health care provider.
 
 

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