Final answer:
The hallmarks of cancer are uncontrolled cell growth, tissue invasion, and metastasis, all caused by accumulated DNA mutations disrupting the cell cycle.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hallmarks of cancer include uncontrolled cell growth, invasion into adjacent tissues, and the ability to colonize other organs, a process known as metastasis. Cancer arises when cells escape regulatory signals of the cell cycle, leading to tumors that compete for nutrients and space, effectively impairing healthy tissue and organ function. The breakdown of these homeostatic mechanisms is typically due to an accumulation of DNA mutations that disrupt normal cell division and death.