Good Example Of Cancer Essay

Cancer refers to a groups of disease that has uncontrolled cell growth in common. There are more than 100 types of cancers, and are named based on the cells or tissue affected. Normal cells, have a limited life span: they grow, divided and die. The dead cells are replaced by new ones in an orderly fashion. In contrast to normal cells, the cancerous cells are immortal and constantly multiple at fast rate, causing cancerous growths. Cancerous growth usually starts in a particular organs or tissue. When the cancer becomes malignant; it escapes the basement membrane barrier and invaded other tissues. Cancer spreads to distant organs, through the blood and the lymphatics. Owing to their fast multiplication rate, they are capable of quickly replacing the normal cells in an organ. The cancerous cells do not perform the same function as normal cells. In addition to this, the overgrown tissues, can obstruct, compress or cause the rupture of nearby organ and nerves.
Death in normal cell, happen through a programmed event called apoptosis. Certain cell signals trigger the onset of apoptosis and cell death. Cancerous cells have the ability to escape apoptosis and remain immortal. Mutations in DNA are responsible for uncontrolled cell division and immortality in cancerous cells. Mutations, otherwise called alteration in DNA sequences, happen in normal cells by chance. The average rate of mutation in normal somatic cell is close to 1x 10-9. Majority of these mutations are repaired by the cell’s DNA repair mechanism. However certain mutagens (agents that cause mutation) can increase the mutation rate. The number mutations often exceed the capacity of the cell, to repair them. Over a period of time, the mutations accumulates and causes cancer. This article explores the effect of one such mutagen: Acrylamide.
Acrylamide is a chemical used in polymer industries like paper, plastics, dyes, etc. It is also a laboratory chemical, used for making polyacrylamide gels. The chemical formula of acrylamide is C3H5NO. It is a colorless, odorless crystalline solid that is easily soluble in water, ethanol, ether and chloroform. Unlike normal cell that undergo spontaneous mutations, cells treated with acrylamide have higher rate of DNA transversion (A to G) and transition (G to C). Acrylamide forms adduct with double stranded DNA. Though its carcinogenic effects in human is unknown, Dearfield, 1988, demonstrated its carcinogenic effect in rodents, by feeding acrylamide mixed in drinking water. Unlike lab animals that are genetically and environmentally homogenous, it is very difficult to identify carcinogenic effect of acrylamide among a heterogeneous human population. Uncontrollable confounding factors, affect the research outcomes, in human studies. In a Danish cohort study, women with high level of acrylamide bound to hemoglobin, were found to have higher risk to breast and ovarian cancer (Thonning Olesen et al.). While the role of acrylamide in cancer is still uncertain, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has already taken measure to limit acrylamide levels in drinking water. Apart from being a carcinogen, acrylamide is a well-known neurotoxic agent.
The presence of acrylamide was detected in certain food items that we take on a day to day basis in our lives: Potato chips and French fries have high acrylamide content. Heating potatoes above 1200C, caused the formation of acrylamide. Acrylamide from packaging and agricultural industry can remain as residues in food and water. Though the presence of acrylamide in French fries were known a decade ago, it still remains the favorite and most wanted American food throughout the globe. Strong evidences form human studies may be required to discourage people from taking these food item. Since potato fries are not a diet priority for many, it may not be a huge environmental concern for most people. The food industry should look for technologies that can fry potatoes without producing acrylamide and altering the taste. A hazard assessment in humans may be required, to confirm the carginogenic potential of acrylamide in human subjects. Presently, conducting such studies have limitation associated with availability of suitable methods to assess exposure, variability in exposure in the population, and need for confirmation from many epidemiological studies. It will be a good idea, if all potato fry lovers volunteer for a long term cohort study, which will help identify cancer risk associated with taking french fries/potato chips. Strong evidence is required to initiate measures that can eliminate or reduce exposure to the carcinogen.
I don’t eat junk food, in spite of which I got Stomach cancer. Probably the reason for my cancer was something else. I am really worried about the popularity of junk foods like French fries and potato chips among young children and teenagers. We can find these food item in every nook and corner of the country and children carrying packets of French fries, is a common sight in U.S. As a cancer survivor I known how it feels to have a cancer. If acrylamide was there in all the potato fries that these children had eaten, then they are probably exposed to this carcinogen, from childhood. Though acrylamide content in food can be reduced by blanching and drying the potatoes before frying, we do not have any information on the extent to which companies follow healthy processing procedures. I am a college student majoring in Early Childhood Education, and look forward to becoming a teacher, so that I can educate children on healthy eating habits and cancer.

Reference:

Dearfield, Kerry L. et al. 'Acrylamide: Its Metabolism, Developmental And Reproductive Effects, Genotoxicity, And Carcinogenicity'. Mutation Research/Reviews in Genetic Toxicology 195.1 (1988): 45-77. Web.
 Thonning Olesen, Pelle et al. 'Acrylamide Exposure And Incidence Of Breast Cancer Among Postmenopausal Women In The Danish Diet, Cancer And Health Study'. International Journal of Cancer 122.9 (2008): 2094-2100. Web.