Breast Cancer 101

A Guide to Breast Cancer by Susan G. Komen

How Cancer Develops

Transcript

Cells are the building blocks of every organ in the body. Cells normally divide and grow in a very controlled process. New cells are created to replace dying cells and keep the body’s organs healthy. Cancer occurs when cells begin to grow and divide out of control.

Cancer cells are abnormal cells that outlive normal cells and continue to form large numbers of new abnormal cells. These cells also divide rapidly and usually form an abnormal growth called a tumor.