The high cancer incidence in young people in Italy: do genetic signatures reveal their environmental causes?
Journal Title: Journal of Health and Social Sciences - Year 2016, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
The increased incidence of cancer in children and adolescents registered in Italy in the last few decades is one of the highest amongst Western countries. The causes are difficult to identify, but recent daily news and some epidemiological surveys, such as the ‘Sentieri’ study, suggest that environmental pollution has an important role. In the past 20 years, epigenetic studies have described how the changes induced by the cell microenvironment on the non-coding parts of the genome can heavily influence gene function, contributing to the carcinogenesis process. Connecting links amongst the external environment, cellular microenvironment and functional epigenetic and genetic mutations promote carcinogenesis. Today, the whole genome sequencing techniques for human cancers can help to formulate a map of mutational signatures in individual tumours, and a list of mutational fingerprints showing exposure to specific environmental mutagens is being developed. Determining the ethical, legal and economic consequences of known cancer causative agents in young people will be a crucial step for a serious reconsideration of primary prevention.
Authors and Affiliations
Ruggero Ridolfi
Supraventricular tachyarrhythmia as a first sign of aortic aneurysm
We report the case of a 50-year-old man who presented with palpitations, without any other symptoms. An electrocardiogram (ECG) showed rapid supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (atrial flutter 2:1). Transthoracic echocardio...
Prospective evaluation through questionnaires of the emotional status of cancer patients in the waiting rooms of a department of oncology
Objective: The aim of this study is to better identify the prevailing emotions and feelings of cancer patients during their stay in waiting rooms in a department of oncology. Methods: In July 2014, patients in the waitin...
A case of asymptomatic ST segment changes in cyclist with two myocardial bridges
A 65-year-old male regularly involved in competitive cycling came to our sports medicine laboratory for the annual mandatory pre-participation screening. Cycling screening protocol includes a cardiological examination, b...
Development and validation of the Iranian Social Health Questionnaire (IrSHQ)
Background: Social health is a fundamental dimension of health, and plays an important role in promoting social well-being. Research in social health needs reliable and valid tools, which should be also applicable to any...
The challenges of climate change, migration and conflict in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals: A call to responsible and responsive policy makers
Editorial: The evidence of global warming is unequivocal, and the changes in the global climate that have occurred since the 1950s have been unprecedented in earlier decades or even millennia. ‘The atmosphere and ocean h...