Question: In general, has cancer got the same base formula with slight variations so they can adapt to different environments? If so, how major/minor are these adaptations?

Aled Roberts answered on 19 Mar 2014:

Hi Honeyp!

I’m not sure I fully understand your question but I hope I can answer it in my own way and that it will make sense to you! Cancer occurs when good cells (programmed to do good) become bad (their programming becomes messed up and they do things they are not meant to). Usually due to little mutations in the genetic code which cause the cells to deviate from their normal function! They don’t need to adapt to new environments (like a bacteria would) as it occurs randomly, by chance (and thus can occur anywhere). We have systems in our body to clear cells that have gone bacd but sometimes we are unable to and that is when we get tumours etc… The mutations can be small leading to subtle changes or massive leading to big changes… it might occur in the system designed to clear up the cancerous cells in which case the cancer might spread!

I hope that answers your question! If not… ask me again and I’ll try and clear it up! 🙂 Don’t forget to vote 🙂