What type of disease is cancer fundamentally considered?

Cancer is fundamentally considered a genetic disease because it arises from mutations in the DNA within cells that lead to uncontrolled cell growth and division. These mutations can occur in oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and genes involved in DNA repair. While environmental factors such as radiation, chemicals, and viruses can contribute to the development of cancer by inducing these mutations, the critical underlying aspect is that cancer cells have genetic alterations that direct their malignant behavior.

The genetic basis of cancer means that the disease can be hereditary, where certain mutations are passed down through families, increasing the risk of specific cancers in offspring. Additionally, most cancers show a range of genetic changes that accumulate over time, contributing to the progression of the disease.

This understanding highlights cancer not as a simple infectious or environmental disease but primarily as a genetic condition resulting from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.