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Why are breast and ovarian cancers more common in Ashkenazi Jews than in the general population?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Geneticists have found that an ancestor of Eastern European Jews, approximately 29 generations ago, developed a defect in the DNA coding for the BRCA2 gene. This DNA defect, known as the 6174delT mutation, has been passed from generation to generation. As a result, 1% of all Ashkenazi Jews living now inherit a defective copy of one of their BRCA2 genes. These carriers of the BRCA2 mutation are at increased risk for developing breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer.
The risk of cancer to Jews who inherit a defective copy of the BRCA2 gene varies in different families. The reason for this variation in risk is thought to be dependent on "lifestyle factors" such as smoking, dietary influences, and the inheritance of other cancer susceptibility genes.
Now the good news:
1) The above shows how relatively little Jews have historically intermarried.
2) As stated above, healthy living can help to some degree.
3) Today there are genetic tests that people can have at an early stage (such as while or before dating) in order to be aware of any hereditary problems which they or their possible future spouse may have. Taking this test ("Dor Yesharim") is very common in the Israeli religious community. It costs around $150 and is a simple genetic blood test whose results come after a couple of weeks.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
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Where do ovarian cancers develop?
Ninety percent of all ovarian cancers develop in the cells lining the surface, or epithelium, of the ovaries and so are called epithelial cell tumors.
Is ovarian cancer common?
Overall, ovarian cancer accounts for only 4% of all cancers in women
Why is the prognosis for testicular cancer significantly better than the prognosis for ovarian cancer?
Testicular cancers are notoriously sensitive to chemotherapeutics. Ovarian cancers are also more difficult to diagnose and are usually caught at later stages.
What cancers are assessed during second-look surgery?
ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer
The top three cancers that sre caused by smoking?
ovarian, tecticular, and lung cancer, your welcome!
What is a serous tumor of the testes?
OVARIAN CANCER Ovarian cancer is a nonspecific term for a variety of cancers that originate in the ovary. There are about 20 microscopically distinct types. They can be classified into three large groups, epithelial cancers, germ cell tumors, and specialized stromal cell cancers. There are three groups because the ovary contains collections of cells with three distinct origins and functions.
What is the purpose of an oophorectomy?
Oophorectomy is performed to: remove cancerous ovaries, remove the source of estrogen that stimulates some cancers, remove large ovarian cysts in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), excise an abscess.
What cancers use bone marrow transplantation as part of the treatment?
For various types of leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, lymphoma, breast and ovarian cancer, renal cell carcinoma, myelodysplasia, myelofibrosis, germ cell cancer, and other cancers.
Can you have a baby with ovarian cancer?
It does not necessarily. It depends on the treatment given for the cancer. If radiation or chemotherapy disrupts the ability of the ovaries to function normally, or if a total hysterectomy is given, then a pregnancy would not be possible. Fortunately, there are treatment options that can avoid this. Early-stage borderline ovarian cancers can be treated with removal of one affected ovary and careful biopsies to ensure that there is no spread. The five-year survival rate with these cancers is nearly 100 percent, even if just the one ovary is removed. Subsequent pregnancy does not increase the risk of recurrence. In fact, pregnancy, breastfeeding and use of oral contraceptives all decrease the risk of developing borderline ovarian cancers in the first place.
Is ovarian cancer infectious?
all cancers can spread, in that sense it can infect other parts of your body -- many cancers are also linked to a viral infection in that part of the body, but (based on current available evidence) the cancer itself cannot pass from one person to another.
Can a 28 year old have pancreatic cancer?
AnswerYes. Anyone can get any cancer at any time, except for only male cancers and only female cancers (such as breast and what not)Men CAN get breast cancer, it is however much more rare. They can not get uterine or ovarian cancer and women can not get prostate cancer.
What is the purposes of the aromatase inhibitor?
Aromatase inhibitors are a form of drugs known to treat certain cancers like ovarian and breast cancer in postmenopausal women. They are also used to stop the production of estrogen.
