Consult Super-Specialist Doctors at CARE Hospitals
19 February 2025
New Delhi: For many years, people considered cancer to be a genetic defect. However, the latest studies on the science behind our genes, known as epigenetics, show that our destiny may be more flexible than we originally thought. Epigenetics, a field that studies how genes change without altering the sequence of their code, teaches us that external factors can turn a genetic switch—such as one linked to breast cancer—on and off. Environmental influences, like diet, pollution, and stress, can activate or deactivate specific genes involved in cancer. Therefore, prevention is just as important as therapy, as it is still unclear which factors will be identified as clear contributors when defining the boundaries for determining who is at risk for this disease.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Sumanth Kumar M, Consultant – Medical Oncology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, spoke about the role of epigenetics in cancer diagnosis.
Unlike genetic mutations that permanently alter DNA, epigenetic modifications are reversible and influenced by lifestyle choices. Three primary mechanisms drive these modifications:
The Role of Environmental Factors
Numerous studies highlight how external influences impact epigenetic regulation. Understanding these factors can empower individuals to make informed choices that promote health and prevent disease.
Hope for the Future: Epigenetics and Cancer Treatment
As epigenetic changes are reversible, this offers promise for cancer prevention and therapy. Now researchers are developing epigenetic drugs, such as DNA methylation inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors, which can return genes to normal functioning. Personalized medicine guided by an individual’s epigenetic pattern should lead to more effective and less toxic treatments.
Reference Link
https://www.news9live.com/health/health-conditions/does-blood-type-influence-ageing-and-longevity-2833387