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NA CZASIE

YOUR

GENETIC CODE

Our cells contain information about the structure of our organism, i.e. the genetic
code. The nucleus of each cell contains 23 pairs of chromosomes, which in turn
contain about 23,000 genes. Here, information about us and our ancestors is saved!
Genetic tests allow this information to be deciphered.

TEXT: DR JUSTYNA ZALEWSKA

For the first time, information about DNA
research was dispersed widely throughout GENETIC PROPHYLACTIC
the world during the case of the preventive RESEARCH
mastectomy operation which Angelina Jolie
underwent. Then we all learned that there In Poland, at least one million genetic
are methods to aid in the calculation of tests are carried out annually. Increasin-
the probability that we will develop cancer. gly, you can find offers of tests related to
These may be the basis for taking specific cancer. They are based on a rooted fear of TUMOUR
action, though not always as radical as in cancer, but can they really determine the MARKERS
the case of the well-known actress. risk of this condition? Can you test your
susceptibility to lung cancer, melanoma, Most often people with a genetic predispo-
FATHERS, CRIMINALS AND colon cancer, ovary, breast, prostate or sition for cancer and those who are already ill
PATIENTS all of these diseases at the same time undergo tumour marker tests.
using a genetic test? Genetic-oncologists
The analysis of each human’s genome con- agree that only 10 percent of cancer has
tains thousands of pieces of information a genetic basis. Cancer is primarily an Researchers and doctors explain that
about different genetic variants. The num- environmental disease – associated, for the elevated level of the tumour marker
ber of these variants is so large and they example, with an unhealthy lifestyle. is not always indicative of cancer and
are so variable that there are no two people Some people may be genetically burdened vice versa. The normal, standard level of
with the same genetic structure. Analysing and have gene mutations that increase the marker is not a guarantee of health.
this information requires vast knowledge the risk of cancer. But only some people. Monitoring the level of the marker in
and experience. There are many different This applies to breast or ovarian cancer, patients makes it possible for doctors
tests. Some are used to identify genetic as well as thyroid, colon, retinoblastoma to assess the effectiveness of treatment
diseases. Others can detect such changes in or prostate cancer. If there have been and the severity of the disease. The low
genes that can be the cause of a disease in tumours in your family you must go to level of the marker after the application
the future - as in the case of Angelina Jolie. the doctor and carry out the appropriate of the therapy shows its effectiveness,
There are tests where we discover that we tests. However, doing genetic testing on and its systematically increasing value
are carriers of a disease, e.g. cystic fibro- your own is a waste of time and money, may be the first symptom of relapse.
sis. Others allow you to see how the body many of them have no value. Not to men- Among people with genetic predispo-
reacts to various active substances used in tion the fact that the correct interpreta- sition to cancer, the markers of: breast,
medicine, which diet is the best for you, tion is just as important as the quality of ovarian, prostate or pancreatic cancers
or what person has a predisposition from the tests. have to be checked.
the appraisal of normal body weight. There
are also tests that help confirm or exclu- PERSONALISED MEDICINE
de (with 100% certainty) paternity. Their Why does cancer in one patient respond
effectiveness is extremely high! to a drug and not respond in another?
The most important feature of DNA is Why are cancer relapses resistant to
its uniqueness, which means that each of treatment that was previously effective?
us has their own unique set of genes. It is Genetic tests help answer these qu-
thanks to this property that DNA analysis estions. The development of personali- with therapy that has no chance of working.
permits the unambiguous identification of sed medicine based on clinical, genetic Personalised medicine is the medicine of
a person which can be used, for example and environmental data that is unique the future. In combination with personali-
in forensics, to apprehend criminals. Even to each patient is an answer to these sed pharmacogenetics it is a unique method
a trace amount of biological material left questions. The goal of personalised that will lead to a breakthrough in the ap-
at the crime scene can help solve a case medicine is to help the doctor decide proach to health challenges that we face in
quickly. on the treatment strategy, or to avoid the next millennium. n
unnecessary costs and risks associated

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