✓ New ScientistScience & Systems
The TP53 variant that gives carriers a near-certain lifetime cancer risk
Tracy Hutchinson has a rare TP53 gene variant that gives her an extreme risk of cancer developing anywhere in her body.
Tracy Hutchinson carries a rare variant of the TP53 gene that places her at extreme risk of cancer developing anywhere in her body. The variant creates such high lifetime risk that whole-body surveillance has become essential.
She undergoes regular whole-body MRIs and other screening to detect any tumors early. Living with that near-certain risk generates constant anxiety alongside the monitoring regime.
Why it mattersRare hereditary cancer syndromes like this show that genetic testing could identify people needing intensive monitoring before any symptoms appear.
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