How do genes affect cancer growth?

The discovery of certain types of genes that promote cancer development has been a major advance in cancer research. According to observations, over 90 percent of the cancers with a certain type of genetic alteration. Some of these alterations are inherited, while others are sporadic, meaning that occur by chance or by environmental exposures (for many years in most cases). The following are the three main types of genes that can affect the growth of cells and are altered (mutated) in certain types of cancer:
* Oncogenes – these genes regulate normal cell growth. In general, scientists describe oncogenes as the “ignition key” of cancer that most people have in their bodies. The motive for this key “energized” and these oncogenes suddenly become unable to control the normal growth of cells, thus beginning to grow cancer cells abnormal.
* The tumor suppressor genes – these genes can recognize abnormal growth and reproduction of cancer cells damaged or interrupt their reproduction until the defect is corrected. However, if the mutated tumor suppressor genes and do not function properly, it is possible to grow a tumor.
* The mismatch repair genes – these genes help recognize errors when DNA is copied to produce a new cell. If the DNA does not “match” perfectly, these genes repair the mismatch and correct the error. However, when these genes do not function properly, errors in DNA can be transmitted to new cells, thus damaging them.
In general, there is strict control over the number of cells that make up the tissues of the body. Thus, new cells are produced to achieve normal growth and development and to replace cells that die. Ultimately, cancer is the loss of this balance due to genetic alterations, which cause an overgrowth of cells.