Overview — What is Cancer?

Normally, our cells undergo a predictable cycle of growth and renewal. As old cells die off, new cells form to replace them. This cell cycle is controlled by material contained within each cell called DNA.

Genes are regions within our DNA that send instructions to the cell. Everyone has two genes called BRCA 1 and BRCA 2. Normally these genes help to prevent cancer tumours from growing.

When either of these genes become damaged or mutated, cells may begin to grow and reproduce in an uncontrolled manner. As the body loses its ability to control the behaviour of these damaged cells we describe them as malignant or cancerous.