What are Genes and Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)?

Genes make up the blueprint of life. They are encoded on DNAs, which are composed of strings of building blocks called nucleotides. There are over 25,000 genes in a human genome. Every human cell possesses two copies of each type of gene, one from each of our parents. Each gene has its unique biological function, and all genes collectively participate in building and maintaining our body and biological functions.

Different versions of a gene are present among the population. They are often differed from one another by substituting one type of nucleotide with another at a particular location. This kind of genetic diversities are called SNPs. Though the change seems small, there could be major consequences for the functional efficiency of the gene. For instance, if an individual inherits a less efficient waste-clearing gene from one of his parents, he may be more likely to accumulate waste within his body, thus leading to adverse health consequences later in life. Many of these SNPs have already been identified to be associated with an individual’s chance of development disease, including cancers. SNPs can either be risk-conferring or protective against cancer developing. Possessing a risk-conferring or protective SNP will predispose an individual to an elevated or decreased risk, respectively, of developing cancer.

What is the relationship between Genes and Cancer? 

Genetics plays a pivotal role in cancer formation. Cancers are essentially diseases caused by congenial and acquired alterations or mutations in ones’ DNA, aggravated by unhealthy lifestyle choices. The congenial alterations/mutations refer to genetic information we inherited from our parents, for examples SNPs. Acquired alterations/mutations refer to genetic changes caused by exposure to harmful environmental factors (e.g. Ultra-violet ray) and chemicals, and the failure of our body in repairing those damages.

Some SNPs exerting a small effect towards increasing ("risk conferring") or reducing ("protective") the risk of developing cancer. However, when a person inheriting too many "risk conferring" SNPs or  inadequate numbers of "protective" SNPs from his/her parents, the risk of developing cancer increases. Identification of the collection of SNPs can assess the (predisposition) risk of disease. This is the basis of MSS Can12™, the Molecular Predisposition Screening for Cancer.