Cancer is the abnormal, unrestricted cell growth caused by damage to genes that regulate cell division. Cancer usually results from a series of mutations within a single cell, sometimes a damaged, or missing p53 gene is to blame. View the slide show p53 and cancer. The p53 gene makes a protein that stops mutated cells from dividing. Without this protein, cells divide unchecked and become tumors. Cancer can metastasize and spread tumors throughout the body. Think of one of the many mutagens that could mutate DNA, causing loss of control over the cell cycle leading to abnormal cell division and eventually cancer. Discuss with the class one of the many possible causes of cancer. How can you cut your chances of developing cancer in your lifetime? What behaviors can you change that could help prevent you from getting cancer?
View the slide show p53 and cancer- https://media.hhmi.org/biointeractive/click/p53/05.html