In addition to breast cancer, mutations in the BRCA1 gene also increase the risk of ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. The BRCA1 gene is located on chromosome 17q21 -- the long (q) arm of chromosome 17 at position 21.The symbol BRCA stands for BReast CAncer.any are associated with an increased risk of cancer. These mutations can be changes in one or a small number of DNA base pairs, or, in some cases, large rearrangements of DNA. A mutated BRCA1 gene usually makes a protein that does not function properly because it is abnormally short.
Lymph nodes and what they do. Lymph vessels route lymph fluid through nodes throughout the body. Lymph nodes are small structures that work as filters for harmful substances. They contain immune cells that can help fight infection by attacking and destroying germs that are carried in through the lymph fluid. There are hundreds of lymph nodes throughout the body. Each lymph node filters the fluid and substances picked up by the vessels that lead to it. Lymph fluid from the fingers, for instance, works its way toward the chest, joining fluid from the arm.
Rarely, swollen lymph nodes are caused by cancer. Your lymph nodes, also called lymph glands, play a vital role in your body's ability to fight off infections. They function as filters, trapping viruses, bacteria and other causes of illnesses before they can infect other parts of your body.