CANCER

“About 1,660,290 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2013, and in 2013 about 580,350 Americans are projected to die of cancer, almost 1,600 people a day. Cancer remains the second most common cause of death in the US, accounting for nearly 1 of every 4 deaths. (http://www.cancer.org/index) ”

 

     This statistic isn’t very detailed either.  There are several different types of cancer; none of which diminish the uninviting reality of the disease.

 

 

     You might ask: “Well, what is cancer?”

     Cancer is defined as a malignancy.  This malignancy is an abnormal growth of cells.  “The growth and differentiation of cells in the body are normally strictly controlled.  Thus, with few exceptions, cells in the adult body are largely quiescent.  However, for a variety of reason, a cell may be made to proliferate uncontrollably to form a tumor (Wiley Asia Student Ed.  FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOCHEMISTRY. Voet 2006).” This unwanted growth that damages healthy organs is the uncontrolled malignancy.  The growth then continues to spread toward other healthy organs.  Cancer symptoms vary widely based on the type of cancer. Cancer treatment could include chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery.

     The best way to treat cancer is through early detection.  The diagnosis begins with routine self-exam or physical exams. “If the diagnosis is positive (cancer is present), other tests are performed to provide specific information about the cancer. This essential follow-up phase of diagnosis is called staging. The most important thing doctors need to know is whether cancer has spread from one area of the body to another. If the initial diagnosis is negative for cancer and symptoms persist, further tests may be needed. If the biopsy is positive for cancer, be sure to seek a confirming opinion by a doctor who specializes in cancer treatment before any treatment is started (http://www.webmd.com/cancer/default.htm).”

 

Cancer research is ongoing.  The cure isn’t far away.  We keep praying.  New developments are constantly on the horizon.  A recent headline on www.newscientist.com read, Antibody wakes up T-cells to make cancer vanish , 17:07 04 June 2013 by Andy Coghlan

 

 

     With this progress researchers learned how to wake up otherwise slumbering T-cells.  The T-cells are dosing off and permitting unrecognized cells to proliferate.  Full functioning T-cells will instantly recognize and destroy foreign material in the body.  Tumor cells became wise to that fact, though.  Tumor cells evolved and masked themselves with a sprout surface molecule called a ligand.  Ligands bind.  On tumor cells, the ligand binds and activates a receptor on the T-cell called PD-1.  The PD-1 receptor is an almost perfect mask.  The T-cells can’t recognize foreign material.  The immune system continues to produce tissues with the cancer as if everything were normal.  The abovementioned antibodies can unmask the cancer cell by blocking the ligand’s interaction with PD-1 ligand.  Then, certainly, the T-cells can resume destroying the foreign material eradicating the cancer.  Research Lambrolizumab, and Nivolumab for more details.

     One day the only subject that springs to mind on the term CANCER is the astrological sign.