Undertsanding cancer for non-technical pupils

Norliyana Amran

Cancer develops following a number of genetic mutations that cause functional alterations in oncogenes, tumor-suppressor genes and microRNA genes.

Abstract

Cancer is reported to have affected every fourth citizen of a developed country sometime during his or her lifetime. Approximately 400 new incidents emerge per 100,000 people annually (Parkin et al., 2005). In 2008, it was estimated that there were 12.7 million cancer cases and 7.6 million deaths (within 5 years of diagnosis) globally (Ferley et al.,2010). Further, this number will continue to increase year by year. But the question remains, what is cancer? There are many definitions of cancer and the easiest way to explain it is uncontrollable proliferation of cell. Cancer develops following a number of genetic mutations that cause functional alterations in oncogenes, tumor-suppressor genes and microRNA genes. It can affect any part of the body by means of uncontrolled and abnormal cell development (Vanhoecke et al., 2005).

Keywords: Cancer, Deaths, Tumor, Oncogenes

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