Genetic predisposition to cervical cancer: A possibility to explore?
Cervical cancer, while not hereditary in most cases, does have a small subset of cases that are influenced by genetic factors. These genetic risk factors can increase a person's susceptibility to cervical cancer, often in conjunction with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, the primary cause of cervical cancer.
Genetic Risk Factors
- DNA Repair Genes: Mutations in DNA repair genes, such as those in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 family, can impair the body's ability to repair DNA damage caused by HPV infection. While these mutations are well known for increasing breast and ovarian cancer risk, some studies suggest they may also modestly increase cervical cancer susceptibility.
- Immune Response and HPV Clearance Genes: Variations in genes related to immune response and HPV clearance can affect the body's ability to respond effectively to HPV infection. This is a crucial step in preventing cervical cancer development.
- TP53 Gene Mutations: TP53 plays a central role in controlling cell cycle and apoptosis. Its dysfunction can allow HPV-infected cells to proliferate unchecked, increasing the risk of cervical cancer.
- Cell Cycle Regulation and Apoptosis Pathways: Genes involved in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis pathways, such as CDKN2A, can alter the body's ability to control cell growth and division, facilitating the persistence of HPV and progression to cancer.
Access to Medical Care
People from low-income areas may face difficulties accessing medical care that reduces their risk of cervical cancer, including regular screening for HPV and cervical cancer, vaccines, and medications for sexually transmitted infections. Regular cervical screening can help detect precancerous cervical cells and early stage cervical cancers, which can help prevent cervical cancer in some cases and improve a person's outlook.
HPV and Cervical Cancer
HPV infection is a common cause of cervical cancer. Changing certain sexual behaviors, such as avoiding sex, avoiding sex with multiple partners, using condoms during sex, and receiving regular testing for STIs, may help reduce a person's risk of HPV. Getting an HPV vaccine may protect against the types of HPV associated with cancers of the cervix, vagina, and vulva. The HPV vaccine is recommended for everyone up to age 26, and people aged 27-45 years should speak with a doctor about their risk of contracting new HPV infections and the potential benefits of receiving a vaccination.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of cervical cancer usually occur once the cancer has grown in size or has spread to nearby tissues. These include abnormal vaginal bleeding, unusual vaginal discharge, pain during sex, pain in the pelvic region, and bleeding after vaginal sex, douching, between periods, after menopause, or periods that are longer or heavier than normal.
Conclusion
While cervical cancer is not hereditary in most cases, specific genetic risk factors can increase a person's susceptibility to the disease. These genetic predispositions underline the complex interplay between inherited risk and viral oncogenesis in cervical cancer. Regular cervical screening and vaccination, along with safe sexual practices, can help reduce a person's risk of cervical cancer.
- Genetic predispositions, particularly mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 DNA repair genes, can increase one's susceptibility to cervical cancer, even though cervical cancer is not hereditary in most cases.
- The availability of medical care plays a significant role in reducing the risk of cervical cancer, as people in low-income areas may have difficulty accessing necessary screening, vaccines, and STIs medications.
- Despite cervical cancer being hereditary in most cases, certain medical-conditions such as immune response and HPV clearance genes variations and TP53 gene mutations, can modestly increase cervical cancer susceptibility in conjunction with HPV infection.
