Cancer and Genetic Mutations
Cancer is a disease that occurs when cells grow and divide out of control to make more abnormal cells. These cells may also spread to other parts of the body, where they can crowd out and destroy healthy tissue. In the United States, 1 in 3 people will get cancer in their lifetimes. Cancer is a complex group of diseases, and the cause of most types of cancer is unknown. But scientists know that gene changes (mutations) are a crucial part of the process that leads to cancer. These changes are often caused by lifestyle choices, genes you inherit from your parents, or exposure to certain chemicals and radiation.
Normally, cells in our bodies grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When the old cell becomes damaged or dies, a new cell takes its place. But when the genetic instructions that govern the growth and division of cells are changed, cancer can start to develop.
The first thing that differentiates cancer cells from normal cells is their ability to grow and divide without stopping, even when the body’s tissues are full. This uncontrolled cell growth is called tumorigenesis. As the tumor grows, it creates its own microenvironment that can help it escape from natural controls on cell growth. It also allows different cancer cells to develop into unique phenotypes and adapt to the changing environment of the tumor.
In addition to being independent of the cues that regulate cell death, cancer cells are also unable to respond to anti-growth signals from the body’s other cells. When these cells are able to ignore the signals that tell them to stop growing, they are able to grow at much higher densities and pack together into tightly packed masses of abnormal cells that are known as tumors.
Once a tumor forms, it can invade adjacent tissues and spread to other parts of the body through blood or lymph vessels. The process of spreading is called metastasis. The underlying causes of cancer vary, but all types of cancer have one key feature: abnormal cell growth and division.
Cancers are classified by the type of cells they contain, where they occur in the body, and what they look like under a microscope. There are about 100 different kinds of cancer, and the specific genetic changes that lead to each cancer are unique. Scientists are looking at all of these factors to find ways to prevent cancer or to treat it when it does occur. These new approaches include drugs that block the growth of tumors, correct the genetic defects that contribute to cancer, and help the immune system fight the tumors. New treatments are being developed all the time. In fact, the diagnosis and death rates from cancer are dropping yearly. These advances are due to the hard work of many dedicated researchers and clinicians. But, we still have a long way to go to eliminate cancer entirely.
Cancer is a disease that occurs when cells grow and divide out of control to make more abnormal cells. These cells may also spread to other parts of the body, where they can crowd out and destroy healthy tissue. In the United States, 1 in 3 people will get cancer in their lifetimes. Cancer is a complex group of diseases, and the cause of most types of cancer is unknown. But scientists know that gene changes (mutations) are a crucial part of the process that leads to cancer. These changes are often caused by lifestyle choices, genes you inherit from your parents, or exposure to certain chemicals and radiation. Normally, cells in our bodies grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When the old cell becomes damaged or dies, a new cell takes its place. But when the genetic instructions that govern the growth and division of cells are changed, cancer can start to develop. The first thing that differentiates cancer cells from normal cells is their ability to grow and divide without stopping, even when the body’s tissues are full. This uncontrolled cell growth is called tumorigenesis. As the tumor grows, it creates its own microenvironment that can help it escape from natural controls on cell growth. It also allows different cancer cells to develop into unique phenotypes and adapt to the changing environment of the tumor. In addition to being independent of the cues that regulate cell death, cancer cells are also unable to respond to anti-growth signals from the body’s other cells. When these cells are able to ignore the signals that tell them to stop growing, they are able to grow at much higher densities and pack together into tightly packed masses of abnormal cells that are known as tumors. Once a tumor forms, it can invade adjacent tissues and spread to other parts of the body through blood or lymph vessels. The process of spreading is called metastasis. The underlying causes of cancer vary, but all types of cancer have one key feature: abnormal cell growth and division. Cancers are classified by the type of cells they contain, where they occur in the body, and what they look like under a microscope. There are about 100 different kinds of cancer, and the specific genetic changes that lead to each cancer are unique. Scientists are looking at all of these factors to find ways to prevent cancer or to treat it when it does occur. These new approaches include drugs that block the growth of tumors, correct the genetic defects that contribute to cancer, and help the immune system fight the tumors. New treatments are being developed all the time. In fact, the diagnosis and death rates from cancer are dropping yearly. These advances are due to the hard work of many dedicated researchers and clinicians. But, we still have a long way to go to eliminate cancer entirely.