Genetic Factors in Cancer Risk

What is the second leading cause of death in the United Kingdom according to the passage?

• Heart disease

• Cancer in the digestive system

• Accidents

• Diabetes

What do scientists hope to achieve by researching digestive system cancers?

• To increase the number of cancer cases

• To find the causes and cures for digestive system cancers

• To make cancer more common

• To stop all research on cancer

What have researchers discovered about the risk for some cancers?

• It is always caused by bacteria

• It is inherited

• It is only caused by diet

• It cannot be prevented

What are genes?

• Segments of protein in the blood

• Segments of DNA strands found in the nucleus of our body cells

• Parts of the digestive system

• Types of cancer cells

What is a genetic mutation?

• A type of cancer cell

• An alteration in a gene

• A new type of medicine

• A healthy gene

How can mutations affect inherited traits?

• They have no effect

• They cause a change in how an inherited trait is expressed

• They always cure diseases

• They only affect animals

Who are Dr. Hannah West and Dr. Laura Thomas?

• Cancer patients

• Researchers studying genes of people with digestive cancers

• Famous athletes

• Movie stars

What can individuals who are genetically "at risk" for digestive cancers do to manage their risk?

• Ignore the risk

• Take medical screening tests and follow disease prevention steps

• Eat more sugar

• Avoid all exercise

Are all cancers caused by mutations?

• Yes, always

• No, not all cancers are caused by mutations

• Only in children

• Only in animals

Are all genetic mutations harmful?

• Yes, all are harmful

• No, some can be neutral or beneficial

• Only in plants

• Only in adults