The disease starts in one of the approximately 30 trillion cells in the body that is constantly renewed. The body is changing constantly. There is no stop in the renewal and growth of cells: This becomes particularly interested in hair and nails. The normal continuous growth will be strictly controlled to avoid an excessive proliferation of the cell. The "inner program" for the growth of the cell is located on the cell's own DNA, the carrier of genetic information.

The single cell lives, but not in isolation: Constantly clash outside influences on them. Meanwhile, a number of risk factors known to cause cancer:

• Toxic substances in tobacco smoke
• Solar radiation
• Radioactivity
• Certain fungi in food
• Malnutrition
• Some viral infections
• Some chemicals

The DNA has a large number of genes on complex repair mechanisms known as "cancer oppressors" act: In this way, at least a minute up to 300 damage to the cell repair. If the health of the cell can not restore jumps the suicide program of the cell: While this means the downfall of each cell - but it ensures the survival of the cell community, so the body.

The fact that some people still fall ill from cancer, often with a hereditary predisposition to do your cells are more sensitive to harmful influences or her body is limited in a position to damage the genome in the cell nucleus to repair.

If, despite all the security a cell - eg by mutation of the genetic material - can change and survive, they go through a number of precursors before they have a cancer tumor is found. At the end, however, is the inside of the cancer cell - compared with a healthy cell - changed:

• The cell produces defective products.
• Your cell walls are structured differently.
• The nucleus is larger.
• The genetic material into the DNA is reprogrammed.
• The tumor cell is "immortal" has become.
• You disregard the original cells, in which it is incurred, and continues to grow without regard for losses.
• The cancer cell can finally leave the cell and interconnected via the blood or lymph to remote parts of the body move, where they form metastases. (BSMO)