- Scientists have proved that it can be passed on from Mother to child in the womb...we even figured out that it's because of a defect (deletion mutation) that is passed on, which causes some of the HLA DNAto be missing; the ultimate affect of which doesn't allow the child's immune system to discern between itself and foreign cancer cells which come across the placenta.
- Certain viruses open the path to cancer; such as Hep B's connection to Liver cancer -or- Cervical cancer which is caused by a certain types of a virus—human papillomavirus or HPV.
- We understand the cellular biology of tumors and have developed sophisticated theories about what goes wrong, when, why and how...from gene mutations for tumor suppressors and oncogenes to abnormal replication of chromosomes by master genes.
- We know what kind of environmental factors can cause cancer, from exposure to toxic chemicals or radiation; to certain lifestyle habits that expose us to carcinogens (tobacco use).
- We have developed various traditional treatments to cancer including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy; to new drugs that slow the grow of certain cancers by blocking receptor sites for estrogen required for their growth -or- other drugs that bind to abnormal proteins in cancer cells and block their growth.
- We even have learned how to prevent cancer by through diet therapy (fruits & veggies full of antioxidants and phytochemicals) and lifestyle recommendations (alkalinize, exercise).
- And, of course, we have developed ever more detailed screening procedures and effective genetic tests for hereditary markers for cancer.
Yet, with everything that we have learned, cancer continues to elude us. Cancer continues to be a conundrum for the 21st century.
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