Advance Biology

Name : Neeracha Lokunpai (Medkao)

Teacher : Mr. Andrew Filipczak
Date : 13 Dec 16
Epigenetic : Relationship between Cancer and Exercise
Can exercise reduce the chance of having breast cancer in woman that have
a genetic risk.

Background :
We all know that everybody is differ by their gene in which we get
passed from the parents. Inside the gene are DNA which is the substance
that expresses each person differently. Gene shows information in the form of
protein production. The process of gene formation occurs in all life form and
is essential to maintain in mammals.
Epigenetic, modifications that determine gene to turn on or off,
depending on what biochemical signals they receive from elsewhere in the
body. Exposures to environmental chemicals can alter normal epigenetic
changes. The most common epigenetic changes are alterations in the rate of
methylation Methylation is the primary process in which methyl groups, a
cluster of carbon and hydrogen atoms, attach to the DNA strand, which
makes it easier or harder for that gene to receive and respond to messages
from the body.
There are many diseases human developed that is caused by the
damage of gene. And most of them are genetically linked, which mean it can
be passed on to the offspring. When the gene is damaged, or it can be said
as gene mutation, the behaviour of the gene is changed. These are the
changes in DNA sequence, which then replicated during regular cell-division
processes. When a cell develops more damage than it can admit, then it will
start to multiply out of control, and we called it as "cancer". Cancer is one of
the popular risks that most people think that it only depends on genes. The
studies have been shown that there are other factors apart from the gene that
is linked to cancer. For example our environment, diet, stress, exposure and
aspects of our lives.
It's estimated that 5-10% of women who have a breast cancer are
caused by gene mutation. This gene is called "BRCA1 and BRCA2."

In the normal cells, its responsibility is to make proteins that help keep the
cells from growing abnormally which is to prevent cancer. However, the
mutated versions of these genes cannot stop abnormal growth, and that can
lead to cancer. If people inherit the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene from their parent,
they will have a higher chance of developing breast cancer.
Question :
Can exercise reduce the chance of having breast cancer in woman that
have a genetic risk.
Hypothesis :
If a women who have genetic risk of cancer do the exercise regularly,
then they will have a lower chance of developing breast cancer
Materials :
1. 20 women age 20-30 who have history of breast cancer in family.
2. 20 women age 20-30 who have history of breast cancer in family.
Experiment:
The experiment require 40 women in total, aged between 20-30. 20 of
these women must be the one who do exercise frequently. While another 20
women do not exercise regularly. Both of them must have a history of breast
cancer in their family. Then we will asked them about their life for the past 40
years, mostly focus on their physical activities. Then we will test whether their
gene are expressed cancer or not by using screening mammogram method,
which is the used of x-ray of the breast in women who have no signs or
symptoms of a breast problem. Then the result will send to compare between
exercise and non-exercise women.
We will take the cell samples and quantify the DNA methylation of the
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene.

Methods :
1. Take 40 people(woman) in total that have the history of breast cancer
in family. (20 of them do exercise regular, and 20 of them dont do
exercise)
2. Let all of them fill the experiment question, which is the table below.
3. For the group of people who do the exercise regularly, let them
continues it for 30 years. Make sure that they have a stick routine.
4. Test them (Both exercise and non-exercise group) every 10 years
whether they the BRCA gene are express or not by using
mammogram.
5. Compare the result we get from x-ray with the question they answer
every year.
Question Table :
Name:

Enter Age :

Enter Height :

Enter Weight :

What is your
current level of
fittness?

Perfect

Average

Poor

How often do you

play sports?

Every week

Every month

Every year

Why do you
practice sports?

To keep fit

To loose weight

Part of job

How do you do
most of your
regular exercise?

As a group

In a pair

Alone

Who in your family Parents

have genetic risk?

Sibling

Grandma/pa

How long have

you start to
exercise
regularly?

>20 years

>30 years

>10 years

Control : All the risk factors that may lead to cancer

All must be a woman

Aged between 20-30
Live in same environment
Have the same kind of diet
Have the same lifestyle
same diet intake
Sleep hours
No drug using

Others(please state)

Implication :
Since cancer are not only influence by gene mutation, but also the
environmental factors that may cause that mutations express
themselves as cancer or not. Only 5-10% chance of breast cancer are
appeared to all normal women. But the chance of woman with gene
mutation either BRCA1 or BRCA2 is 5 times higher. However it isnt
guarantee that people with mutation gene will be 100% developed
cancer. It depends on other external factor such as exercise. If exercise
can help to reduce the chance of cancer expression, then people should
be aware about it so that it may help them to lessen the chance of
illness. Moreover it is found out that regular physical activity can improve
health in many ways. For example control weight, maintaining healthy
muscles, reduce risk of many disease.
References :
Breast Cancer Tests: Screening, Diagnosis, & Monitoring |
breastcancer.org. (2016) Retrieved November 28, 2016, from http://
www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types
Genetic, Epigenetic and Tissue Organizational Effects. (n.d.). Retrieved
December 6, 2016, from http://www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-science/
biology-of-breast-cancer/genetic-epigenetic-and-tissue-organizational-effects/
How is breast cancer diagnosed? (2016). Retrieved December 11,
2016, from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breastcancer-diagnosis
Mammograms. (2014). Retrieved November 28, 2016, from https://
www.cancer.gov/types/breast/mammograms-fact-sheet
Reynolds, G. (2014). How Exercise Changes Our DNA. Retrieved
December 05, 2016, from http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/12/17/howexercise-changes-our-dna/
Sharma, S., Kelly, T. K., & Jones, P. A. (2010). Epigenetics in cancer.
Retrieved December 5, 2016, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
PMC2802667/
Waters, H. (2012). Exercise Alters Epigenetics | The Scientist
Magazine. Retrieved December 6, 2016, from http://www.bing.com/cr?
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