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Information about your cancer type

Cancer is not one single disease. It is a broad group of diseases that can behave very differently depending on where it starts, the type of cells involved, the stage at diagnosis, the tumour’s genetic features, and how it responds to treatment. This page provides a starting point for exploring different cancer types, with links to information on diagnosis, treatment options, recurrence risk, survival factors, side effects, relevant tests, and complementary approaches that may help support recovery and long-term outcomes. The aim is to help you understand your cancer type more clearly, compare the available evidence, and find practical information that is relevant to your own situation.

Identifying your cancer sub-type.

Many of the genes that contribute to cancer development fall into broad categories:

Tumor suppressor genes – BRCA1, BRCA2, p53 or TP53.
These are protective genes but they can mutate and turn into cancer cells.
Oncogenes. – HER2, RAS
These turn cells cancerous. Mutations in these genes are not inherited.
DNA repair genes – BRCA1, BRCA2, and p53 
These fix mistakes made when DNA is copied. Many of them function as tumor suppressor genes. If a person has an error in a DNA repair gene, mistakes remain uncorrected. Then, the mistakes become mutations. These mutations may eventually lead to cancer, particularly mutations in tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes. Mutations in DNA repair genes may be inherited or acquired. 

See also: An overview of cancer

See also:

Complementary therapies for better cancer outcomes
Cancer Recurrence and how to reduce your risk
An overview of cancer
Theories on Cancer Origin

Last updated January 2026

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