ABSTRACT
Almost all of us have known someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. This disease originates from the cells in our bodies. It is defi ned by the unregulated growth of previously normal cells. Just about every cell in our body can become cancerous. Rapid cell division, which is typical of cancer cells, is not in itself a particular problem. Liver cells have the ability to rapidly duplicate (regenerate) themselves under certain conditions. Cells of the immune system (T and B cells) can multiply quickly in response to infections (bacteria and viruses) that alert the body’s defenses. But these two examples of rapid cell division are regulated by the body and occur only under special conditions. Cancer causes not only rapid cell division, but also unregulated cell growth. Cell growth without regulation is harmful to the body because it diverts resources normally needed for the body to survive.
