Hi:
As a parent whose child was diagnosed with AML I can appreciate wanting to know "Why?", however, based on what I've learned about this disease I seriously doubt that a lock of hair would provide the answer.
First - DNA analysis can only be performed on cells that have a nucleus. If the lock of hair has attached and undamaged hair roots then it may be possible to extract and examine the DNA. The hair shaft itself does not contain any DNA material, instead it is composed only of an entirely dfferent and much, much simpler protein.
Second - Our child's DNA was in fact tested as part of the diagnostic process for two reasons:
a) to obtain a precise diagnosis as to exact AML sub-type [there are seven sub-types] in order that the best possible therapy would be used. This is because each AML sub-type has a different prognosis [treatment success rate], responds differently to different therapies, etc.
b) to help determine if/what DNA damage/change was responsible for triggering the AML.
Because we were participating in a clinical trial which was also looking into inheritable factors, parental DNA was also examined - nothing to suggest a predisposition to AML. Absolutely no sign of anything remotely like this in any of our respective family medical histories either. Our child's AML was just one of those things - a spontaneous, inexplicable and dangerous mutation. [The medical literature thus far shows no clear cause-effect or hereditary link.] We also had to answer what seemed like hundreds of questions about our child's medical history [including vaccinations], home and day care environments, nutrition, distance of our home to nearest electrical corridor, exposure to microwave and other forms pf radiation, etc. No possibility was excluded in this fact finding.
Something else that you should know about hair - the hair follicles/strands can in fact reveal the presence and relative amounts of toxins, mostly what are termed heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic and mercury. While these are toxic when ingested, they are not generally associated with cancers. In fact, one of the arsenic compounds is used to treat some serious hematologic diseases, especially those where red blood cell production is suppressed.
There is a tremendous amount of research being done on cancer with new discoveries published every day, so keep reading. For current diagnostic practices, you might consult the Hematology/Oncology medical journals. For current medical/clinical therapies, try the National Cancer Institute [do a search for "PDQ"].
Hope this answers your question.
Good luck,
Jay
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