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Which cancer alleles are far more easily transmitted?

User Seoman
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Final answer:

Certain cancer alleles, like BRCA1 and BRCA2, can significantly increase the risk of developing cancers such as breast and ovarian cancer and are more easily transmitted genetically. Ethnicity and certain conditions like Xeroderma Pigmentosum can also contribute to a higher cancer risk. Genetic testing can aid in early detection and treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the transmission of specific cancer alleles and how some are more easily transmitted than others. Inherited risk factors, such as mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, greatly increase the risk of developing certain cancers like breast and ovarian cancer. While environmental factors also contribute to cancer risk, these inherited mutations are dominant and can significantly elevate the risk even though they do not guarantee that an individual will develop cancer. Ethnicity can influence the frequency of these genetic mutations in certain populations, leading to a higher prevalence of specific cancers among those groups.

Patients with conditions such as Xeroderma Pigmentosum have a higher propensity for cancer due to defects in DNA repair mechanisms, leading to accumulated DNA damage over time. Moreover, understanding one's genetic predisposition through genetic testing can be critical for early detection and more effective treatment of cancers, should they develop.

User Matt Fletcher
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