Cancer

Cancer was a class of diseases among humans and other species. It was characterised by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these cells to invade other tissues. This unregulated growth was caused by damage to DNA, resulting in mutations to genes that controlled cell division. If untreated, cancers could kill.

Behind the scenes
Several Doctor Who contributors have died from cancer over the years:
 * 1981 - Victor Carin
 * 1982 - John Bay
 * 1993 - Jacqueline Hill
 * 1994 - Peter Cushing
 * 1997 - Ron Tarr
 * 2001 - Tom Watson, George Harrison, Kevin Manser
 * 2002 - Carmen Silvera
 * 2003 - Alfred Lynch
 * 2005 - Michael Sheard
 * 2006 - Gary Downie
 * 2007 - Dave Martin
 * 2011 - Elisabeth Sladen
 * 2012 - Mary Tamm