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.

References

• The First Doctor met the elderly Christian leader Hebron, who was dying from cancer. This revelation humbled him, since until then he had been immersed in self-pity over the loss of the TARDIS and separation from his companions. (PDA: Byzantium!)

• While a Coordinator within the Kaled Scientific Elite, Davros developed a device capable of curing cancer among the Kaled population. (BFD: Corruption)

• One of Lord Carnon's prisoners was a scientist who hoped to find a cure for cancer until Death took him. (ST: The Eternity Contract)

• In 1976, Carolyn McConnell had dreams of finding a cure for cancer when she started out as a pre-med student in San Francisco. Some of her passion was diverted to an interest in vampires after the Eighth Doctor and Sam Jones rescued her from one of them. (EDA: Vampire Science)

• Tegan Jovanka's father died from cancer. (PDA: Divided Loyalties)

• By 2006 Tegan herself had cancer, a brain tumour. (BFA: The Gathering)

• In 2011, during the Miracle Day phenomenon, the switch from mortal to immortal had rendered cancer cells mortal, allowing people to smoke freely, although the government kept this information quiet. (TW: End of the Road, Web of Lies)

• In the early 21st century, cancer was more common due to high pollution levels. Maria Chavez died from cancer brought on by years of exposure to toxic cleaning fluids. Stephanie had lung transplant surgery done to treat her lung cancer. (NA: Cat's Cradle: Warhead)

• A man living on Arcadia who was dying from cancer wrote his memoirs using burnt sticks for pencils and old sheets for parchment. (DWM: Prelude Deceit)

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 - Caroline John, Mary Tamm, Geoffrey Hughes