Cancer

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease of cells. It is an abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, in some cases, to metastasize (spread).

Cancer is also called malignancy. A cancerous growth or tumour is sometimes referred to as a malignant growth or tumour. A non-malignant growth or tumour is referred to as benign. Benign tumours are not cancer.

Cancer is not one disease. It is a group of more than 100 different and distinctive diseases. Cancer can involve any tissue of the body and have many different forms in each body area. Most cancers are named for the type of cell or organ in which they start. If a cancer spreads (metastasizes), the new tumour bears the same name as the original (primary) tumour.

What sort of cancer research is conducted at Westmead Millennium Institute?

Westmead Institute for Cancer Research (WICR) conducts research into the molecular and cellular basis of human cancer (breast cancer, melanoma and other skin cancers, ovarian cancer and bowel cancer) and leukaemia.

In addition, Westmead Millennium Institute led the establishment of the Breast Cancer Tissue Bank with funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Cancer Institute NSW and the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The Bank has been created to provide a resource of breast cancer biospecimens and clinical data to support breast cancer research throughout Australia.

Megan Williams: A story of hope

At 22, Megan is a three-time cancer survivor – first surviving the loss of her mother to cancer at the age of 12, and then battling the disease herself not once but twice in the past five years. Her story is that of an incredible fighting spirit.

Megan’s enduring wish to survive is representative of all those who are suffering from life-threatening diseases for which a cure is yet to be found. She represents all those who are still relying on the ongoing support of people like you to help keep their hope alive.

Learn more about Megan's story (PDF, 25Kb)