cause for her/him

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease of the body’s own cells. Our bodies are made up of billions of cells and each one has a specific role to play. We are complex beings and there are many different types of cell – liver cells, brain cells, blood cells and so on. Normally these cells are kept in check so that they only grow and divide when they are told to – such as when old cells need replacing or an organ needs repairing. In cancer these molecular checks are broken so cells are no longer kept under strict control. This can cause them to divide uncontrollably ultimately leading to a mass of cells known as a tumour – the physical manifestation of the disease we call cancer.