Though various forms of cancer can develop throughout the human body,

many cancers share several common characteristics. Which of the following is

correct regarding cancer?

A) Cancer often develops due to an increase in tumor suppressor gene

inhibitors

B) The double-hit hypothesis states that inheriting two mutations increases

one’s risk for the development of cancer

C) Proto-oncogenes are implicated in the development of cancer through

mutation

D) Increases in checkpoint inhibitors speeds the likelihood of being diagnosed

with cancer

Click to reveal answer

The development of cancer is a complex and multifactorial process,

with both genetic and environmental forces involved in determining a person’s

susceptibility to cancer as well as the development of a clinical cancer syndrome.

Cancer arises due to a dysregulation in the normal processes that govern cellular

division, which normally occurs through a tightly controlled process meant to

promote the replication, growth, and development of healthy cells when needed in

the body while avoiding the excess production of cells, especially when they are

damaged or mutated.

Proto-oncogenes are genes that can easily or often become mutated into

oncogenes, which then drive cellular mutations and/or uncontrolled cell division to

lead to cancer. For this reason, Answer C is the correct choice.

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Day 108 MCAT Practice Question