Breast Cancer Risk

Using Real Medical Histories to Rank Genetic and Environmental Influences

Co Authors:	Michèle I. Shuster Department of Biology New Mexico State University mshuster@nmsu.edu Karen Peterson Human Biology Division Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center kpeterso@fhcrc.org
Abstract:	This case study takes a combined directed and discussion approach to explore risk factors for breast cancer. After a preparatory reading assignment, students assess various medical histories derived from actual women with breast cancer and rank their overall risk for breast cancer and make recommendations for risk reduction. The task is complicated by the different and often combined sources of risk (e.g., reproductive history, hormone replacement therapy and family history). Originally written for an introductory biology course, the case study could easily be adapted for upper division curses in genetics, physiology, or biochemistry to explore the biological and biochemical basis underlying various risk factors.
Objectives:	Introductory Course Goals To learn about risk factors for breast cancer and assess whether a risk factor is controllable or uncontrollable. To use provided clinical histories to assess the overall cancer risk of four different women, and then rank these women based on overall breast cancer risk. To make recommendations for each woman on how she should act to reduce her breast cancer risk. Possible Goals for Upper Division Courses (e.g., Genetics, Physiology, Biochemistry) To learn about the cellular roles of BRCA1 and BRCA2. To articulate the pathways of estrogen synthesis in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women. To understand the basis for oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). To describe the technical aspects of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene tests. To explain the significance and limitations of positive and negative BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene tests on overall risk of breast and ovarian cancer. To search the primary literature for studies that attempt to link epidemiological data on diet and cancer risk to a biological basis underlying such epidemiological observations, then present the key experiments to the class. Given a written (narrative) family history, draw a pedigree for that family and to determine the apparent mode of inheritance (for breast cancer or another type of cancer).
Keywords:	Breast cancer risk factors; family history; pedigree chart; reproductive history; clinical history; estrogen; BRCA1; BRCA2; oncogenes
Topical Area:	N/A
Educational Level:	High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division, Clinical education
Formats:	PDF
Type/Method:	Directed, Discussion
Language:	English
Subject Headings:	Bioinformatics Physiology Genetics / Heredity Epidemiology Biochemistry
Date Posted:	10/07/07
Date Modified:	N/A
Copyright:	Copyright held by the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science, University at Buffalo, State University of New York. Please see our usage guidelines, which outline our policy concerning permissible reproduction of this work.

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