The Genetics of Cancer - NIH
 

The Genetics of Cancer - NIH National Cancer Institute
Genetic Changes and Cancer
Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
Genetic Tests for Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
Identifying Genetic Changes in Cancer

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Here at the link I'm posting above is some excellent information regarding the genetics of cancer.

In my own type of cancer (Stage 4 melanoma) I have a mutation in the BRAF gene. This means that my mutation has allowed aggressive growth. It's called being BRAF positive and having that come back positive can then be used to direct cancer treatments.

Despite common opinion, not all cancer treatments are Chemotherapy and not all patients in treatment for cancer are immunosuppressed.

Fortunately with new research there are now treatments such as the one I am getting (Immunotherapy) that teaches my own immune system to put on the brakes of the aggressive tumour growth. There are also Targeted Therapies, other treatments used in BRAF positive patients. These two types of treatment work in a totally different way from Chemotherapy

I post this information because I think it is extremely important that people who are diagnosed, and told they will not survive, know that there are treatments available for such serious type of cancer as metastatic melanoma and thankfully I'm one of the fortunate ones to have the treatment be successful so far. Sadly it doesn't work for everyone but that's where genetics comes into it.