Epigenetics shows how environmental factors and life experiences alter gene activity without changing the gene sequences. This review examines key epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, microRNAs, and long non-coding RNAs, and their roles in gene regulation. It also highlights the impact of maternal diet, stress, and…

Given the long induction time of many cancers and the fact that modifiable risk factors (e.g., cigarette smoking) including preventive factors (e.g., human papillomavirus [HPV] vaccination, healthy dietary and physical activity patterns) are influenced in adolescence, educating adolescents about cancer causation and risk reduction may have a large…

The age of female puberty appears to have decreased in the United States and western countries as child health and nutrition have improved and obesity has become more prevalent. Also, environmental contaminants, particularly endocrine disruptors, may also play a role in lowering the age of puberty. Puberty at an early age increases the risk of…

Accurate and sensitive communication of cancer-risk information is important. Based on a literature review of 75 research reports, expert opinion papers, and clinical protocols, a synthesis of what is known about the communication of cancer-risk information is presented. Relevance of information to those not tested is discussed. (Author/EMK)

Thirteen articles in this special issue discuss aging theories, biomarkers of aging, aging research, disease, cancer biology, Alzheimer's disease, stress, oxidation of proteins, gene therapy, service delivery, biogerontology, and ethics and aging research. (SK)

Data concerning the psychological impact of high risk of cancer are reviewed, including implications of genetic testing, breast screening,and accuracy of women's risk estimates. Work in progress on prophylactic mastectomy and chemoprevention is reviewed. Research on cancer families, and interventions and prevention strategies for high-risk…

Discussed is a designer-drug technology called antisense which blocks messenger RNA's ability to carry information to protein producing sites in the cell. The applications of this drug to AIDS research, cancer therapy, and other diseases are discussed. (KR)