Cancer is a genetic disease that occurs when cells grow in an abnormal and unregulated way. Normally, our body’s cells grow and multiply to form new cells that replace those that are old or damaged. This process – called cell division – is controlled by our genes. However, changes to our genes can cause this process to break down, allowing abnormal or damaged cells to multiply and form tumours. Cancerous tumours can invade and damage body tissue, and cancerous cells may also travel through the body, causing tumours elsewhere, a process called metastasis.
Cancerous cells use a number of strategies to evade the body’s immune system, which usually eliminates abnormal cells before they become cancerous. In some cases, these strategies make cancer difficult to treat effectively. At Garvan, we’re working to better understand the cellular mechanisms behind different cancers and to develop more effective, targeted treatments that are tailored to the DNA of individual tumours or patients.
Cancers we research
Breast cancer
The second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, affecting one in seven women.
Lung cancer
The number one cause of cancer-related deaths in Australia.
Multiple myeloma
A type of blood cancer that develops from plasma cells in the bone marrow.
Ovarian cancer
A disease causing tumours in one or both ovaries that is often undetected in its early stages.
Pancreatic cancer
The number one cause of cancer-related deaths in Australia.
Prostate cancer
One of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia, typically affecting older men.
Rare cancers
One of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia, typically affecting older men.
Sarcoma
A rare cancer that arises in the connective tissues, such as bone, muscle, tendons, nerves, fat, cartilage and blood vessels.