Reference no: EM133730375

Assignment: Genetic Risks in Healthcare Brief Case Studies

Case Study I

Ms. M presents as a new patient for a physical exam. When completing her family history, you note that her maternal grandmother and maternal aunt died of breast cancer. Another maternal aunt died of ovarian cancer. Her mom is a breast cancer survivor. She has always engaged in routine mammograms but is worried about her breast cancer risk. She has now found a lump in her left breast, which is what prompted her to schedule her annual exam.

Task

A. Using the concepts from this week's module about genetics, why is her family history relevant to this case?
B. Her breast lump may be benign or malignant. What is meant by these terms? What would characteristics of a malignant mass be?
C. Describe the process of metastasis.
D. What is meant by staging cancer? Describe how breast cancer is staged.

Case Study II

Mr. and Mrs. N present for preconceptual counseling. Mrs. N has had genetic testing before and reports that she is a carrier for hemophilia A and cystic fibrosis. Mr. N has never had genetic testing but does not have any problems with bleeding. They want to know if it is necessary for him to have testing and what the chance of having a child with hemophilia A or cystic fibrosis are.

Task

A. What is the pattern of inheritance for hemophilia A?
B. Does Mr. N's genetic carrier status for hemophilia A matter? Why or why not?
C. What are the chances of the couple having a child with hemophilia? Explain your answer.
D. What is the pattern of inheritance for cystic fibrosis?
E. Does Mr. N's genetic carrier status for cystic fibrosis matter? Why or why not?
F. What are the chances of the couple having a child with cystic fibrosis? Explain your answer.