Should he reconsider and try chemotherapy instead?
Bruce and his parents moved to a semi-tropical region of the United States when he was about 3 years old. He loved to be outside year-round and swim, surf, snorkel, and play baseball. Bruce was fair-skinned, and in his childhood years, was sunburned quite often. In his teen years, he began using sunscreens, and although he never tanned very much, he did not have the painful sunburns of his younger years.
After graduation from the local community college, Bruce wanted an outdoor job and was hired at a dive shop. He took people out to one of the local reefs to snorkel and scuba dive. He didn’t give a second thought to sun exposure because he used sunscreen. His employer did not provide health insurance, so Bruce did not go for annual checkups, and tried to stay in good health. In his late 20s, Bruce was injured trying to keep a tourist from getting caught between the dive boat and the dock. He went to an internist, who treated his injury and told Bruce he was going to give him a complete physical exam. During the exam, the internist noticed a discolored patch of skin on Bruce’s back. She told him that she suspected Bruce had skin cancer and referred him to a dermatologist, who biopsied the patch. At a follow-up visit, Bruce was told that he had melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. Further testing revealed that the melanoma had spread to his liver and his lungs. The dermatologist explained that treatment options at this stage are limited. The drugs available for chemotherapy have only temporary effects, and surgery is not effective for melanoma at this stage. The dermatologist recommended that Bruce consider entering a clinical trial that was testing a DNA vaccine for melanoma treatment. These vaccines deliver DNA encoding a gene expressed by the cancer cells to the immune system. This primes the immune system to respond by producing large quantities of antibodies that destroy melanoma cells wherever they occur in the body. A clinical trial using one such DNA vaccine was being conducted at a nearby medical center, and Bruce decided to participate.
At the study clinic, Bruce learned that he would be in a Phase Ill trial, comparing the DNA vaccine against the standard treatment, which is chemotherapy, and that he would be randomly assigned to receive either the DNA vaccine or the chemotherapy. He was disappointed to learn this. He thought he would be receiving the DNA vaccine.
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Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Course List)
- How can my one's exposure to sun throughout one's life contribute to a possible melanoma(Hint:think about what happens to the DNA of skin cells)arrow_forwardThis is a blank question. Thank you in advance, Bloom Syndrome Bloom syndrome is a rare genetic disorder. It is characterized by short stature and a long narrow face with prominent nose and ears. There is also increased sensitivity to light. People who have the disorder often develop rashes on their face, forearms, and hands when they have been exposed to the sun. In addition, these people often suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and have a higher chance of developing cancer. The cause of this genetic disorder is a mutation in the BLM gene located on chromosome 15. The immediate effect of this mutation is that there is a defect in the functioning of the DNA helicase enzyme. What would be the effect of this mutation on DNA replication? What stage of the cell cycle would be most affected?arrow_forwardWhy do statistics show that skin cancer fatality rates are higher among African Americans than other ethnic groups?arrow_forward
- Should he go ahead and enroll on the chance that he would receive the DNA vaccine and that it would be more effective than chemotherapy? Bruce and his parents moved to a semi-tropical region of the United States when he was about 3 years old. He loved to be outside year-round and swim, surf, snorkel, and play baseball. Bruce was fair-skinned, and in his childhood years, was sunburned quite often. In his teen years, he began using sunscreens, and although he never tanned very much, he did not have the painful sunburns of his younger years. After graduation from the local community college, Bruce wanted an outdoor job and was hired at a dive shop. He took people out to one of the local reefs to snorkel and scuba dive. He didnt give a second thought to sun exposure because he used sunscreen. His employer did not provide health insurance, so Bruce did not go for annual checkups, and tried to stay in good health. In his late 20s, Bruce was injured trying to keep a tourist from getting caught between the dive boat and the dock. He went to an internist, who treated his injury and told Bruce he was going to give him a complete physical exam. During the exam, the internist noticed a discolored patch of skin on Bruces back. She told him that she suspected Bruce had skin cancer and referred him to a dermatologist, who biopsied the patch. At a follow-up visit, Bruce was told that he had melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. Further testing revealed that the melanoma had spread to his liver and his lungs. The dermatologist explained that treatment options at this stage are limited. The drugs available for chemotherapy have only temporary effects, and surgery is not effective for melanoma at this stage. The dermatologist recommended that Bruce consider entering a clinical trial that was testing a DNA vaccine for melanoma treatment. These vaccines deliver DNA encoding a gene expressed by the cancer cells to the immune system. This primes the immune system to respond by producing large quantities of antibodies that destroy melanoma cells wherever they occur in the body. A clinical trial using one such DNA vaccine was being conducted at a nearby medical center, and Bruce decided to participate. At the study clinic, Bruce learned that he would be in a Phase Ill trial, comparing the DNA vaccine against the standard treatment, which is chemotherapy, and that he would be randomly assigned to receive either the DNA vaccine or the chemotherapy. He was disappointed to learn this. He thought he would be receiving the DNA vaccine.arrow_forwardMrs. Berk is 65 and has terminal cancer. The nurse tells you the doctor has told Mrs. Berk and her family that further treatment will not stop the cancer. You have cared for Mrs. Berk during several hospital stays and are assigned to give her care today. When you go to her room, she tells you that she will be happy if she can live just long enough to see her grandson graduate from high school in the spring. Later when you go to her room, she is crying and says she does not understand why this is happening to her. 1. What stage or stages of grief does Mrs. Berk seem to be experiencing? What evidence do you have for your answer?2. What communication techniques would you use to help Mrs. Berk? How comfortable are you in using these techniques? Why do you feel as you do?arrow_forwardHow would you make the difference between a mole and skin cancer?arrow_forward
- Why is it inaccurate to say, “Smoking causes cancer”?arrow_forwardMary is a 58-year-old hospice resident with end-stage cancer. She has been very positive about her cancer for the past several months; however, within the last two weeks, she has had a lot of weight loss despite eating all her meals. Mary has become withdrawn and refuses to interact with staff or residents. Mary’s daughter tells you that her mom just needs to eat more and that she will get better if she gains weight. Explain all of the stages of grief that are reflected in this scenario. Why is Mary losing weight? What is this type of weight loss called? What quality of life measures can you assist Mary within her remaining time? Consider the specific type of care she would receive.arrow_forwardWhy does the use of tanning beds also increase the incidence of skin cancer?arrow_forward
- Why doesn't the body attack a metal implant?arrow_forwardAccording to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer screening should begin at age 50 for people at average risk. Imagine you have a family history of colon cancer. From your research, with reasons which procedures would your physician order for you and at what age ?arrow_forwardA non-English speaking woman in her 60s has a change in bowel habits and weight loss and is found to have a carcinoma of the colon. The woman’s son and daughter ask the physician not to tell their mother that she has cancer. They tell the physician that people in her generation are not told they have a potentially life-threatening condition, and that if she is told she will despair. While discussing the diagnosis with the physician, the son and daughter suggest that their mom simply be told that she has a “growth” that needs to be removed. As based on what you know from virtue theory, what would a virtuous person say about this situation?arrow_forward
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