4C: Apoptosis

Genetic basis of cancer: Examining cancer patient data

Outcome:

In this activity, students explore the genetic basis of cancer by examining cards that list genetic mutations found in the DNA of actual cancer patients. Students are asked to identify patterns and trends in the data. Using the Cancer Patient Cards, students discover the following:

• Cancer is typically caused by mutations in several genes (i.e., two to eight genes for each cancer).

• Patients with cancer have different combinations of mutated genes.

• Mutations in the same genes can be involved in the development of different types of cancers (i.e., breast cancer or lung cancer).

• Mutations in different genes can cause the same type of cancer.