Contents:
- Medical Video: 5 common signs of colon cancer
- The process of the occurrence of cancer in the human body
- The cause of colon cancer can be lowered in the family tree
- The cause of colon cancer may come from a bad lifestyle
- Not all causes of colon cancer are the same
Medical Video: 5 common signs of colon cancer
No one can be sure of what actually causes colon cancer. But there are several factors that can increase your risk of colon cancer. One thing is certain, certain changes in DNA can cause normal body cells to turn malignant into cancer. DNA is a chemical in every cell that forms genes. We can look like our parents because they are the source of our DNA. However, the influence of DNA turned out to be more than just someone's appearance. Damage to DNA plays a role in the risk of a person having cancer. Here's the explanation.
The process of the occurrence of cancer in the human body
Some genes in the body contain control instructions when our cells must grow, divide, and die. Certain genes that accelerate cell division or help cells to live longer are called oncogens. Other genes that slow cell division, or cause cells to die at the right time, are called tumor suppressor genes. Cancer can be caused by mutations of a gene (defect) that activates oncogenes or deactivates tumor suppressor genes. Mutations of several different genes are suspected to be the cause of colon cancer.
Some DNA mutations can be passed down from generation to generation and are present in all body cells. When this happens, mutations are called inherited. Other mutations occur during a person's lifetime and are not revealed. This mutation only affects cells originating from original cells that have mutations. These DNA changes occur due to mutations in gain. This is the most common type of mutation. Some of the same genes are involved in both inherited and acquired mutations.
The cause of colon cancer can be lowered in the family tree
Some cases of colon cancer are known to be caused by gene mutations inherited from parents to children and grandchildren. Many of these DNA changes and their effects on cell growth are known.
For example, changes are inherited from a gene called APC. APC is responsible for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Gardner's syndrome. This APC gene is a tumor suppressor gene that usually helps control cell growth. In people who have inherited changes in the APC gene, the "brakes" in cell growth are not active, causing hundreds of polyps to form in the large intestine. Over time, cancer almost always develops in one or more of these polyps due to a new gene mutation that occurs in polyp cells.
Hereditary non-polyoposis colon cancer (HNPCC), also called Lynch syndrome, is caused by changes in genes that normally help repair damaged DNA cells. Cells must make new copies of their DNA every time they divide into 2 new cells. Sometimes an error occurs when copying the DNA code, but fortunately, the cell has a DNA repair enzyme that acts as a proofreader or spell checker. Mutations in one of the DNA repair enzyme genes such as MLH1, MSH2, MLH3, MSH6, or PMS, could allow DNA errors not to be corrected. This error will sometimes affect growth regulating genes that can cause cancer development. TGFBR2 is another gene associated with HNPCC and helps regulate cell growth.
The rare Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is caused by inherited changes in the STK11 gene. This seems to be a tumor suppressor gene, although its exact function is not clear.
Gene examination can detect gene mutations associated with this inherited syndrome. If you have a family history of polyps or colorectal cancer or other symptoms associated with this syndrome, you may need to ask your doctor about gene counseling and gene testing.
The cause of colon cancer may come from a bad lifestyle
In most cases of colorectal cancer, the cause of colon cancer comes from DNA mutations due to lifestyle changes and / or exposure to external factors from daily routines. There are certain risk factors that might play a role in causing this mutation. For example, the free radicals your body gets from the various foods you eat, medicines consumed, and the air you breathe every day, known to play a major role in increasing the risk of cancer.
According to the 2012 GLOBOCAN data obtained from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, colon cancer in Indonesia currently ranks number 3 because of the sharp increase caused by changes in the diet of Indonesians who are higher in fat and low in fiber. But so far the exact cause of most of these acquisition mutations is unknown.
Not all causes of colon cancer are the same
Not all cases of colon cancer are caused by the same single cause. In most cases, initial mutations occur in the APC gene. This causes an increase in colorectal cell growth due to loss of "brake" control in cell growth. Further mutations can then occur in other genes such as KRAS, TP53, and SMAD4 caused by external factors during life. These abnormal changes cause cancer cells to grow and spread uncontrollably. Other unknown genes can also be involved in your risk factors for getting colon cancer.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
