In the debate about whether cancer is hereditary or a result of mitosis, both sides of the argument have some ground. Some genetic characteristics that are pre-determined in individuals can increase their likelihood of developing some cancers (Clark, Douglas, & Choi, 2018). For example, colorectal cancers have shown abnormal methylation at specific genes’ DNA regions, which influences their expression. Because of this, commercial tests screen for colorectal cancer using the samples of stool to identify abnormal DNA methylation at specific DNA regions. Nevertheless, epigenetic changes can make the risk of cancer higher. For instance, the BRCA1 gene mutation that limits its proper functioning makes it more likely for a person to get breast and other types of cancer. This shows that epigenetics can be employed to determine the type of cancer an individual is expected to develop and make it easier to detect the disease at its early stages. Nevertheless, epigenetics in itself cannot diagnose cancer, and further screenings are necessary.
Thus, the combination of genetics and environmental influences contributes to cancer development. In the majority of cases, lifestyle influences, including smoking, an unhealthy diet, and exposure to carcinogens in the air and water, are the most prevalent causes of cancer. If a person has a history of cancer in their family, it is advised that they are more cautious overall. Importantly, they should engage in regular screening and consider environmental and behavioral influences that can lead to their cancer diagnosis (Clark et al., 2018). Overall, every separate case of individuals diagnosed with cancer will differ from another due to the combined and varied impact of both genetic and environmental characteristics.
Reference
Clark, M. A., Douglas, M., & Choi, J. (2018). Biology (2nd ed.). OpenStax.