- #1
wolram
Gold Member
Dearly Missed
- 4,446
- 558
One reads of cancer ever more these days, it seems like one can get cancer of anything, surly there must be a different switch to switch on breast cancer or prostate cancer.
Until I was nearly 20 years old I had never met anyone with cancer, at this point I have lost count of friends and family who have died of it. My wife and I both grew up in a town named Libby Montana Which is famous for two things, Great trout fishing and the home of Mesothelioma. This probably explains the increase in cancer cases I have noted. While WR Graces Zonalite operations definitely affected (and ended) a lot of lives, it seems to me that everyday life is loaded with triggers just waiting for the right conditions and genetics to come together. All the variables make avoiding cancer similar to shooting dice, the best a person can do is try and keep the odds in your favor by making smart lifestyle choices.wolram said:One reads of cancer ever more these days, it seems like one can get cancer of anything, surly there must be a different switch to switch on breast cancer or prostate cancer.
wolram said:One reads of cancer ever more these days, it seems like one can get cancer of anything, surly there must be a different switch to switch on breast cancer or prostate cancer.
Living is the leading cause of death: 100% fatality rate so far.Choppy said:So in a way, the root cause of cancer is: living.
Choppy said:Cancer incidence is increasing.
phyzguy said:While this is the general perception, I don't think it is true. If you look at these two files from the American Cancer Society, you will see that cancer Death Rates are trending strongly downward as treatments improve, and that Incidence Rates are also trending downward, albeit more slowly. Here is a link if you want to explore more:
https://cancerstatisticscenter.cancer.org/#/data-analysis/
That's not completely true and there are success stories. For example for chronic myeloic leukaemia, which was the first cancer for which the molecular mechanism was understood, there is specific medication, namely tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which, although they have to be taken lifelong, almost cure the disease.Borg said:The prevailing belief used to be that each cancer was thought to due to mutations related to that organ. However, there wasn't any single treatment that ever had much success for any given type of cancer.
I wasn't aware of that. Thanks.DrDu said:That's not completely true and there are success stories. For example for chronic myeloic leukaemia, which was the first cancer for which the molecular mechanism was understood, there is specific medication, namely tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which, although they have to be taken lifelong, almost cure the disease.
There is even a popular book on this fascinating story:
The Philadelphia Chromosome: A Mutant Gene and the Quest to Cure Cancer at the Genetic Level, by Jessica Wapner
In chronic myelogenous leukemia, targeting the specific mutation k-kit actually cures the disease. Why?christopher.s said:I would say that the "root" cause of cancer is metabolic dysfunction. I think focusing on the genes can cause one to lose sight of what actually constitutes a "healthy" cell vs. one that is damaged. For instance, if you look at levels of LDH (lactate dehydrogenase, which is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of a metabolic waste product, lactic acid) in cancerous cells, you will without exception find they are elevated. In addition, drugs that target metabolic pathways in particular (aspirin, methylene blue, etc.,) actually show great success with treating cancer.
Glivec is effective in treating CML by acting to the product of c-kit mutation, butBorg said:I wasn't aware of that. Thanks.
The root cause of cancer is a genetic mutation that leads to uncontrolled cell growth. This mutation can be inherited or caused by environmental factors such as exposure to carcinogens, radiation, or viral infections.
Yes, certain lifestyle choices can increase the risk of developing cancer. These include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, and lack of physical activity. These factors can contribute to genetic mutations and damage to cells, increasing the risk of cancer.
No, there are many different types of cancer and each has its own unique set of causes. Some types of cancer may have a single root cause, while others may have multiple contributing factors.
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent cancer, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. These include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding known carcinogens, and getting regular screenings for early detection.
There is no single cure for cancer, as it is a complex disease with many different types and causes. However, there are various treatments available, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, that can help manage and potentially cure some types of cancer.