Individuals with Defects in Ubiquitously Expressed DNA Repair Proteins Have

Multiple Choice

Individuals with defects in ubiquitously expressed DNA repair proteins have a form of SCID known as RS-SCID (radiation-sensitive SCID) . Studies have shown that, in addition to immune deficiencies, these patients have an increased rate of cancer. Yet, in general, they are diagnosed first based on their immunodeficiency disease, not on their susceptibility to getting cancer. This is due to the fact that:

A) The immune response to infections is required almost immediately after birth.
B) Cells other than lymphocytes have additional redundant DNA repair pathways.
C) More people have immunodeficiency diseases than have cancer.
D) Cancer only occurs in older individuals.
E) If treated for their immunodeficiency disease, the increased cancer incidence goes away.