What Causes The Cell DNA Impairment and Damage? and How This Leads to Cancer and!
Question: Wow this is a big question. I will try to answer it as best I can in as little space. cancer starts on the cellular level involving a single cell. The cause of cancer is considered to be a two hit event. Meaning that there exists the potential for cancerous activities which is then coupled with an additional event such as smoking or occupational hazards.
Cells normally have a checks and balance system that ensures that the cell is healthy enough to begin division. Certain proteins check the cells DNA for complete DNA replication, any damaged DNA, and to ensure that there are enough nutrients present to ensure commencement into the following steps. If all things do not pass inspection the cell does not enter into division. When division starts it is usually instigated via a hormonal or growth factor. There are also factors that tell the cell when to stop dividing, such as the cellular clock, contact inhibition etc.
Cancer is the result of the loss of control that individual cells experience. This loss of control is either the result of mutations or chromosome abnormalities. These changes cause the cell to begin to divide without the checks and balances a normal cell undergoes. Its begins to divide when it should be resting.
What causes cellular impairment are things that are called oncogenes. These are the so called cancer genes that result in unchecked cellular growth. The normal genes that control cellular growth are called proto-oncogenes and they help control growth, however when they undergo mutations they become oncogenes. Once these oncogenes are present they become the dominant genes. Unfortunately it only takes one of these guys to produce unchecked cellular growth.
There is also another factor that plays into cancer. These are genes called tumor suppressor genes. These genes produce proteins that are solely designed to inhibit cellular division if all the previously mentioned conditions are not met. These genes are unable to function if both copies of a gene are damaged.
Once the tumor suppressor genes are lost then the damaged DNA within the cell is able to divide exponentially. All previously stops are removed and the cell continues to divide. Theoretically the cell will continue to divide until all of its genetic material is removed due to shortening. If you have several cells that divide uncontrollably, or even one that is active for a long period of time you have significant tumour growth. The problem arises in the fact that it is never one cell that is effected. Its always a great number of cells and it does not have to be cells located in just one area.
It is hypothesized that people don't actually die from cancer per se they die from the effects of cancer, such as exhaustion, malnutrition etc. If the tumour is diverting a good portion of blood and nutrients from healthy tissue it makes sense that the overall body will suffer. All your body's energy is going into dividing cells and giving them what they need to continue their out of control behaviour.
Chemo and radiation treatment works to destroy all the cells that are currently dividing. This stops the cells that are currently out of control. It does not not fix genetic damage, this is why cancers return in patients in remission.
Answers: Wow this is a big question. I will try to answer it as best I can in as little space. cancer starts on the cellular level involving a single cell. The cause of cancer is considered to be a two hit event. Meaning that there exists the potential for cancerous activities which is then coupled with an additional event such as smoking or occupational hazards.
Cells normally have a checks and balance system that ensures that the cell is healthy enough to begin division. Certain proteins check the cells DNA for complete DNA replication, any damaged DNA, and to ensure that there are enough nutrients present to ensure commencement into the following steps. If all things do not pass inspection the cell does not enter into division. When division starts it is usually instigated via a hormonal or growth factor. There are also factors that tell the cell when to stop dividing, such as the cellular clock, contact inhibition etc.
Cancer is the result of the loss of control that individual cells experience. This loss of control is either the result of mutations or chromosome abnormalities. These changes cause the cell to begin to divide without the checks and balances a normal cell undergoes. Its begins to divide when it should be resting.
What causes cellular impairment are things that are called oncogenes. These are the so called cancer genes that result in unchecked cellular growth. The normal genes that control cellular growth are called proto-oncogenes and they help control growth, however when they undergo mutations they become oncogenes. Once these oncogenes are present they become the dominant genes. Unfortunately it only takes one of these guys to produce unchecked cellular growth.
There is also another factor that plays into cancer. These are genes called tumor suppressor genes. These genes produce proteins that are solely designed to inhibit cellular division if all the previously mentioned conditions are not met. These genes are unable to function if both copies of a gene are damaged.
Once the tumor suppressor genes are lost then the damaged DNA within the cell is able to divide exponentially. All previously stops are removed and the cell continues to divide. Theoretically the cell will continue to divide until all of its genetic material is removed due to shortening. If you have several cells that divide uncontrollably, or even one that is active for a long period of time you have significant tumour growth. The problem arises in the fact that it is never one cell that is effected. Its always a great number of cells and it does not have to be cells located in just one area.
It is hypothesized that people don't actually die from cancer per se they die from the effects of cancer, such as exhaustion, malnutrition etc. If the tumour is diverting a good portion of blood and nutrients from healthy tissue it makes sense that the overall body will suffer. All your body's energy is going into dividing cells and giving them what they need to continue their out of control behaviour.
Chemo and radiation treatment works to destroy all the cells that are currently dividing. This stops the cells that are currently out of control. It does not not fix genetic damage, this is why cancers return in patients in remission.
cell malformation,destruction & disease... of which there are many variables.. poor health, congenital defects, environmental, heredity etc...