Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and can affect many parts of the body. In New Zealand, cancer is a leading cause of death, with the most common cancers being lung, prostate, colorectal, breast and lung cancers. Maori have higher mortality rates from cancer compared to non-Maori. Cancers are caused by defects in cellular proliferation and differentiation as well as environmental and genetic factors. Cancer cells spread via metastasis which can occur early for some cancers or later for others. The immune system plays a role in detecting cancer cells but cancers can evade immune response.