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Colon Cancer; Hereditary Study
April 2, 2009 |
Genes. They can determine our eye color, hair color, and whether we are at risk
of certain medical problems. Now, researchers are taking a second look at how genes
could play a part in colon cancer.
Dr. Cesar Santiago, a neurosurgeon on the medical staff of Lee Memorial Health System
says, “as we find more and more, and research develops, we come up with the results
of findings and know for a fact that malignancies, if not all, are due to some genetic
disposition patients have.”
In the U.S., 1 out of every 17 people will be diagnosed this year. The risk of colon
cancer actually increases three times for people with a relative who has had colon
cancer. “We do know for a fact that there’s problems in DNA, especially on the DNA
correction gene, as you well know, the DNA replicates so that we all can survive,”
explains
Dr. Santiago. Certain DNA makeup has the ability to keep cancers in the
colon from forming, but when that DNA is passed on, the slightest changes to that
makeup could increase the risk.
“ There’s something affected. Something abnormal.
And this is what we’re trying to see how it is that we can fix the little errors,”
says Dr. Santiago.
Doctors urge people to learn everything they can about their family’s medical history.
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