Human bodies are made up of hundreds of millions of cells that constantly regenerate through a process called cell division. This process is regulated through a series of mechanisms in our cells that help ensure that everything runs smoothly and that we always have the right number of each cell.
Cancers occur when these regulating mechanisms fail, causing a cell or a group of cells to begin multiplying uncontrollably. When this occurs, abnormal cells begin lumping together in growths called tumours that sometimes spread throughout the body causing damage wherever they go.
Decades of research have taught us that there are over 200 different types of cancers, each of which has different causes and manifests differently in each patient. This research has also helped us learn how to detect, diagnose, and treat cancers earlier, improving our chances of survival.
Despite these advances, there’s still a lot to be done. It is estimated that one out of every two Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime and that one in four will die from it. This makes cancer the leading cause of death in Canada and pushes us to invest in the best cancer research projects in the country.
To learn more about the areas of cancer research that we invest in, please take a look at the list below: