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Note: This factsheet has been designed as a post-session handout for learners taking part in a Genomics Game session, but can also be used as learning resources in other settings. See the full collection here.

Key facts

  • Cancer is a disease of the genome.
  • Cells can become cancerous due to specific changes in the DNA, resulting in abnormal growth and division.
  • In the majority of cases, these changes occur within a person’s lifetime, although in some rare cases these changes can be inherited.
  • Comparing the genome of cancer cells with those of healthy cells can help to inform the diagnosis, prognosis and even the treatment of the disease.

Did you know?

  • Around 5%-10% of cancers are associated with inherited changes to the DNA. Just because an individual has inherited a change does not mean they will develop cancer. Further changes have to occur within their lifetime.
  • Angelina Jolie chose to have prophylactic surgery after it was confirmed that she had inherited a variant in her genome that increased her chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

Find out more

For information about cancer and genomics, visit Cancer Research UK.

Details

Publication type

Education and training resources

Genomics Game

First published

27th June 2019

Page updated

18th November 2019

Document Download

Game factsheet 5: Cancer and the genome