Understanding Cancer

Cancer is a disease during which damaged cells grow uncontrollably.

DNA contains genes that determine a protein's structure. Normal cells have fully functioning DNA. However, cells can become abnormal when a gene is missing or when DNA has mutations. These abnormal cells divide further, which causes more and more flaws and mutations. Cancer cells are derived from abnormal cells and are made from DNA that underwent several mutations. They have defective tumor-suppressive genes, which in usual circumstances would prevent the uncontrollable growth of the cell, but now are malfunctioning (might be because of the DNA mutations). Cancer cells do not respond to the body's signals that tell them to stop spreading or to die.

During a process called metastasis, cancer cells are able to migrate from one organ to another, breaking through tissues, damaging cells, and create tumors. Tumors are tissue lumps that are created by cancer cells growing on each other, and as they progress, they obtain more and more mutations. However, some cancers do not form tumors, such as leukemia (blood cancer).

Even though there are more than 200 types of cancer, we do not have to be afraid of it. Only 10% of all cancer types are genetic, which means that the majority of cancer cases might be caused by environmental factors, such as smoking, drinking, drug usage, obesity, etc.

There is currently no universal treatment for cancer that would help everyone, but scientists from around the world are researching this topic to find one in the future. Fun fact: the African naked mole-rat is immune to cancer! Their body produces a substance called hyaluronan, which is a natural lubricant that does not let cancer grow! This fascinating discovery may contribute to the discovery of future cancer treatments.