Founder of healthDesk Africa, Seidu Alhassan Bakwori has revealed how genetics tends to be a risk factor in contracting some types of cancer.
According to World Health Organization, cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably.
It goes beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body or spread to other organs.
Speaking on Campus Exclusive, Bakwori explained how certain mutations in the body predisposes individuals to certain diseases at the cellular level.
“Basically, everything we do is as a result of our body cells functions, it’s a collective action or a collective results of the individual cells that comes together to function. Before a cell can function it needs to read some Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)…our DNA includes certain protein and those protein are responsible for our bodily functions. We are already predisposed to diseases, so what happens is that if a particular cells was suppose to make your muscles smooth and it happens that you have a notation of that particular DNA, your cell will not be able to hold the particular protein that helps you with muscle contractions and in that case, it means that you have a malfunction of those cells.”
He also explained that though genetics are counted as high risk factors, a family history of cancer does not necessarily mean that one is prone to getting the disease.
“…you can inherit the genetics that is predisposed to cancer directly from your parents, your family line or anyone. But then getting it doesn’t necessarily mean you are going to develop cancer. It just means that you have a high risk than another person who doesn’t have those imitated genes.”
Mr. Bakwori indicated that through hormonal therapy, the factors that predispose one to cancer can be managed to an extent. He however advised individuals to desist from abusing hormonal growth drugs.
“With hormonal therapy, some people take hormones to help them stay normal, some also take hormones because they are working out and they want to become big. People also take it in a form of contraceptives which is very dangerous. Once you introduce [the hormones] to your body, it has the tendency to damage certain metabolic processes in your body.”
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Story by : Doku Basira | univers.ug.edu.gh
