The cancer gene we all have - Michael Windelspecht
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22,684 Questions Answered
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Within every cell in our body, two copies of a tumor suppressor
gene called BRCA1 are tasked with regulating the speed at which cells
divide. Michael Windelspecht explains how these genes can sometimes
mutate, making those cells less specialized and more likely to develop
into cancer.
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Meet The Creators
- Educator Michael Windelspecht
- Director Michael Kalopaidis
- Artist Dinos Hadjidemetri
- Animator Maria Savva
- Sound Designer Manolis Manoli
- Producer Zedem Media
- Narrator Michelle Snow
by TED-Ed
Why would it be safer to say that knowing what BRCA1 variations you possess indicates your susceptibility for developing cancer, rather than saying that having a certain BRCA1 variation means that you have cancer?
You may inherit mutations in your BRCA1 genes from your parents, but you do not inherit cancer directly. Genetic tests may indicate the presence of mutations in the BRCA1 gene.
Comments are closed on this discussion.
Rehani Macinda
Lesson in progress
in response to Yennifer Perez-Aguilar Show comment
A tumor is a lump or growth. Some lumps are cancer, but many are not.
Bethany Hirmer
Lesson in progress
Being knowledgeable about the genes and what you could be handed down is important.
laura olivar
Lesson completed
It could be easier what cancerous cells you could possibly posses
Nayda Funderburg
Lesson completed
Just because you have mutations in the BRCA1 gene, that does not mean that you have cancer, it means that you are more susceptible to getting cancer
Riley Shafer
Lesson completed
Because the BRCA1 would definitely have a more of a lifetime risk because of its effects to the body
Sharnell Tillman
Lesson completed
It may be safer to know what BRCA1 variations you possess because you will be able to identify with what cancerous cells you may have and you will be able to catch the early warning signs if they do develop into cancer and get *********** sooner.
Jake Linn
Lesson completed
I believe because it is not until there is mutation with the BRCA1 that one becomes more susceptible to cancer. Everyone is different and some could have s similar mutations yet one a much higher chance of getting cancer and another may never have to suffer that.
Hamza Salah
Lesson in progress
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Alexander Pentakalos
Lesson completed
It would be safer because having BRCA1 does not mean you will have cancer. BRCA1 is not harmful unless it stops working comepletely and it develops mutations.
Megan Ong
Lesson completed
It is safer to say this because mutated BRCA1 variations is not an indication for the presence of cancer. It reduces your ability to fight cancer, and increase your chance of getting cancer. Therefore, you cannot say that you already have cancer based on their BRCA1 variation.
