Cancer is fundamentally a genetic disease, characterized by the accumulation of genetic mutations that disrupt normal cell function. These mutations can affect various types of genes, including oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair genes. Oncogenes are mutated versions of normal genes (proto-oncogenes) that promote cell growth and division. When these genes are over-activated, they can drive the uncontrolled cell proliferation seen in cancer. Tumor suppressor genes, on the other hand, typically act as brakes on cell growth and division. Mutations that inactivate these genes can remove critical growth control mechanisms, allowing cancer to develop. DNA repair genes are responsible for fixing DNA damage; mutations in these genes can lead to an accumulation of additional mutations.
