Explain how breast cancer developes as a result of uncontrolled cell divison

Question

This is biology related, I'm trying to write a claim for my scientific research essay. 

Answer 1

Hi Abby,

 

During normal development(human), an embryo knows it has to grow and develop into a fetus and then an infant.

The process requires cell-proliferation through cell-division and then differentiation into specific lineages (ectodermal. endodermal and mesodermal cells) that lead to specific organs: skin, heart, lung etc. In biological terms, cells have to know to pick up a lineage and identity after proliferation through cell-division. Breast is an organ that has undifferentiated cells, the complete differentiation of breast tissues occurs after child birth. A breast-feeding mother's breast tissue has mostly differentiated cells and motherhood is considered as natural prevention against breast cancer. When undifferentiated  cells in breast divide profusely and do not get the signal to differentiate into specific cell type then they lead to breast tumor that can undergo metastasis and then malignancy.

 

There are several factors that lead to loss of signals to differentiate. If cell divide but the signal to differentiate is lost then it leads to tumorigenesis/cancer.

 

Normal cells have in-built regulation of cell-division, their ability to divide and proliferate is supposed to decline with age. However, if in-built regulation is lost then cell would divide at the time when division and proliferation are not required. The signal to differentiat would not come either since body does not need it. The outcome would be a formation of ball of undifferentiated cells that we know as tumor and cancer.

 

It is easy for undifferentiated cells to lose their identity and regulation then the cells that have undergone differentiation and know that they belong to heart, brain or skin.

 

Since breast cells remain undifferentiated for long time they are prone to loss of regulation then cells elsewhere in other organs where complete differentiation has occurred. That is why incidence of breast cancer is relatively higher.

 

Comparatively, breast cancer is higher in childless older women then women with children. Hope reason is clear to you since I explained it above.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

Naina B., PhD