Genetic Mutations – Skin Cancer
INTRO:
DNA is constantly exposed to mutations. Mutations are caused by several factors, including anomalies that are formed during DNA replication or abnormalities that are acquired due to lifestyle and environmental factors (1). Genetic mutations can be categorized into three different areas, these are known as; Inherited, Acquired and De Novo. Inherited mutations come from a parent and are present throughout the affected persons’ entire life. This mutation occurs when an egg and sperm cell fuse, resulting in a fertilized egg that receives mutated DNA from either one or both parents. Acquired (or somatic) mutations can occur at any point during a person’s life and are present in certain cells only. This can …show more content…
There are several forms of skin cancer including; Squamous cell skin carcinoma, Basal cell cancer, and Melanoma, the deadliest form of cancer. It’s evident that ultraviolet (UV) rays are a major cause of melanoma. The UV rays damage the DNA in skin cells and sometimes this damage can affect certain genes, which control how skin cells grow and divide. If these genes become affected, they’re no longer able to function properly due to the damage caused by the radiation and may become cancerous as the genes are unable to repair the damage. Melanomas develop in the skins’ pigment cells (Melanocytes), which produce melanin to protect the skin from UV radiation. If left untreated, melanomas will grow very quickly and become life threatening in as little as six weeks because the cancer spreads into vital parts of the body and then becomes harder to treat. This form of cancer can spread to the lower parts of the skin (Dermis), enter the lymphatic system or bloodstream and then spread to other parts of the body for example; lungs. There are numerous risk factors that increase the likelihood of melanoma, including those with fair skin, a high mole count, a pattern of sunburns throughout life and history of melanomas in a person’s
INTRO:
DNA is constantly exposed to mutations. Mutations are caused by several factors, including anomalies that are formed during DNA replication or abnormalities that are acquired due to lifestyle and environmental factors (1). Genetic mutations can be categorized into three different areas, these are known as; Inherited, Acquired and De Novo. Inherited mutations come from a parent and are present throughout the affected persons’ entire life. This mutation occurs when an egg and sperm cell fuse, resulting in a fertilized egg that receives mutated DNA from either one or both parents. Acquired (or somatic) mutations can occur at any point during a person’s life and are present in certain cells only. This can …show more content…
There are several forms of skin cancer including; Squamous cell skin carcinoma, Basal cell cancer, and Melanoma, the deadliest form of cancer. It’s evident that ultraviolet (UV) rays are a major cause of melanoma. The UV rays damage the DNA in skin cells and sometimes this damage can affect certain genes, which control how skin cells grow and divide. If these genes become affected, they’re no longer able to function properly due to the damage caused by the radiation and may become cancerous as the genes are unable to repair the damage. Melanomas develop in the skins’ pigment cells (Melanocytes), which produce melanin to protect the skin from UV radiation. If left untreated, melanomas will grow very quickly and become life threatening in as little as six weeks because the cancer spreads into vital parts of the body and then becomes harder to treat. This form of cancer can spread to the lower parts of the skin (Dermis), enter the lymphatic system or bloodstream and then spread to other parts of the body for example; lungs. There are numerous risk factors that increase the likelihood of melanoma, including those with fair skin, a high mole count, a pattern of sunburns throughout life and history of melanomas in a person’s