• Question: why do people get cancer?

    Asked by poppylouise to Christina, Colin, Jess, Samaneh, Steve on 22 Jun 2013. This question was also asked by edrienepadua.
    • Photo: Steven Gardner

      Steven Gardner answered on 22 Jun 2013:

      Cancer is caused by either chemicals called carcinogens (Car-sin-o-gins) or by radiation. Both of these damage your DNA a little and the cell begins to divide uncontrollably. Cells normally divide only when they need to. If left unchecked the cells will reproduce so much they will form a tumour, and begin to divert food and oxygen from other vital cells to keep itself alive. This is when the cancer starts to cause problems and people get ill.

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