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Understanding Cancer Series: Cancer
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    Posted: 01/28/2005    Reviewed: 09/01/2006
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Slide 4  :  Loss of Normal Growth Control <  >  

Cancer arises from a loss of normal growth control. In normal tissues, the rates of new cell growth and old cell death are kept in balance. In cancer, this balance is disrupted. This disruption can result from uncontrolled cell growth or loss of a cell's ability to undergo cell suicide by a process called"apoptosis." Apoptosis, or "cell suicide," is the mechanism by which old or damaged cells normally self-destruct.

Loss of Normal Growth Control

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