GENETICS OF CANCER

Genetic factors contribute to the cause of cancer and its treatment. Since the level of exposure to food additives, insecticides and other pollutants is high, genetically susceptible persons should be identified. There is a threshold above and below which the summation of these factors may fall. In cancer treatment drug resistance is determined genetically by the mutation rate induced by the drug used. Leukemia treatment was used as an example. Cancer is not limited to humans or mammals but is also seen in lower invertebrates. Genes favorable to neoplasia are selected in the evolution of species, and the action of some of these genes is limited to certain cell types. This is often observed in mice and may be important for human cancer.