Factors known to increase your risk of cancer include: Your ageĬancer can take decades to develop. While doctors have an idea of what may increase your risk of cancer, the majority of cancers occur in people who don't have any known risk factors. It's likely that this varies among cancer types. It's not clear just how many mutations must accumulate for cancer to form. Your inherited gene mutation could make you more likely than other people to develop cancer when exposed to a certain cancer-causing substance. Instead, you may need one or more other gene mutations to cause cancer. The gene mutations you're born with and those that you acquire throughout your life work together to cause cancer.įor instance, if you've inherited a genetic mutation that predisposes you to cancer, that doesn't mean you're certain to get cancer. How do gene mutations interact with each other? This could cause a cell to become cancerous. However, cells contain a mechanism that recognizes when a mistake occurs and repairs the mistake. Gene mutations occur frequently during normal cell growth. A number of forces can cause gene mutations, such as smoking, radiation, viruses, cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens), obesity, hormones, chronic inflammation and a lack of exercise. Most gene mutations occur after you're born and aren't inherited. Gene mutations that occur after birth.This type of mutation accounts for a small percentage of cancers. You may be born with a genetic mutation that you inherited from your parents. Gene mutations can occur for several reasons, for instance: But many other gene mutations can contribute to causing cancer. These mutations are the most common ones found in cancer. A mutation in a DNA repair gene may mean that other errors aren't corrected, leading cells to become cancerous. DNA repair genes look for errors in a cell's DNA and make corrections. Make mistakes when repairing DNA errors.A mutation in a tumor suppressor gene allows cancer cells to continue growing and accumulating. Cancer cells lose the controls (tumor suppressor genes) that tell them when to stop growing. Normal cells know when to stop growing so that you have just the right number of each type of cell. Fail to stop uncontrolled cell growth.This creates many new cells that all have that same mutation. A gene mutation can tell a cell to grow and divide more rapidly. What do gene mutations do?Ī gene mutation can instruct a healthy cell to: Errors in the instructions can cause the cell to stop its normal function and may allow a cell to become cancerous. The DNA inside a cell is packaged into a large number of individual genes, each of which contains a set of instructions telling the cell what functions to perform, as well as how to grow and divide. Ask about which cancer screening tests and procedures are appropriate for you.Ĭancer is caused by changes (mutations) to the DNA within cells. If you don't have any signs or symptoms, but are worried about your risk of cancer, discuss your concerns with your doctor. Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that concern you. Persistent, unexplained fevers or night sweats.Persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain.Persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating.Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, sores that won't heal, or changes to existing moles.Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain.Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin.Some general signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to, cancer, include: Signs and symptoms caused by cancer will vary depending on what part of the body is affected.
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