What is DNA and why is it important to cancer?
A. DNA is your hereditary information. It contains instructions for growth, development and replication. Replication of DNA occurs everyday, and sometimes the information is not copied accurately. When this information contains an error, our bodies have certain checkpoints that correct the errors. If an error gets past a number of checkpoints and the DNA continues to replicate, it may cause abnormal cell growth. If our body cannot get rid of these abnormal cells and the cells continue to replicate and grow, then we get cancer. Cancer is defined as abnormal and uncontrollable cell growth.
