CANCERNo word carries with it more fear. But we are making progress; survivors like my beautiful sister are evidence of that.
The cancer cell uses one of the basic properties of normal cells--mitosis--and carries it to lethal extremes. It also seems to deactivate another property that sounds "bad" but is really "good--programmed cell death. Unlimited growth, no death--this type of immortality is fatal to the host.
Understanding the human genome and its relationship to gene regulatory proteins is helping us make progress. Public health has given us the opportunity to live longer, and application of our incredible scientific knowledge may give us the ability to enjoy those added years in a healthier state. Encourage the scientists in your life!
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