Cancer and Genetic Inheritance
Go the following website and answer the questions that follow
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Aboutcancer/Genetics/Cancergenetics
Read through the website. Follow the table of contents on the left side of the page from top to bottom. The
questions are in the order that you will find the answers.
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS OR DEFINE THE TERMS ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER
1. What occurrences must be present in your family in order for the information in this website to be
relevant to you?
2. How often are cancers linked to genetics?
3. Why do most cancers occur?
4. If you only have one elderly relative with cancer, are you at an increased risk of getting the same
cancer?
5.
Define Germline Mutations-
6. Define Somatic Mutations7. Genes thought to be linked with some cancers have been identified. Has a genetic test for breast,
ovarian, bowel, endometrial, prostate, pancreatic or testicular cancers been developed?
8. Inheriting a cancer gene does not necessarily mean that individual will get cancer, it just means that they
have ______________________________.
9. Steps in Genetic Counseling
a. Screeningb. Genetic Testingc. Preparing- (3 steps)
d. Write down ____________________ you want to ask
10. List 5 questions to ask in order to assess risk.
11. Summarize the 2 step process for genetic testing.