The Challenge of Curing Cancer: Why Is It So Complex?

Cells in the body adhere to instructions that govern every aspect of their life cycle, including division, function and death. Typically, when cells reach a specific number or density, they communicate with one another to halt their growth. When a cell undergoes a change or mutation, it may start ignoring normal instructions and grow uncontrollably. This is what we call cancer.

Every cell in our body has a specific job. When cells become cancerous, they stop doing their original work and lose their unique features. These cancerous cells turn into basic cells that grow without control, forming large clusters and occupying space in the body. Cancer cells consume essential nutrients that our bodies require to stay healthy and function effectively. Instead of promoting our well-being, these nutrients nourish the cancer cells. This can create issues for normal cells and disrupt the balance of our bodily systems, making it difficult for everything to work as it should.

Challenges of curing cancer

• Cancer is a complex problem because we are fighting ourselves to treat it. Some cells may begin to multiply uncontrollably, induced by elements such as the atmosphere, hereditary factors and an undesirable lifestyle. These cells replicate rapidly, frequently harbouring genetic mutations that allow them to divide uncontrollably. Eventually, they develop tumours and start to infiltrate adjacent tissues and organs.
• One of the concerning traits of cancer cells is their capacity to evade the immune system. Cancer cells attack T-cells and disable them, making themselves invisible to the immune system. Additionally, cancer cells can imitate healthy cells, which helps them evade detection. Therefore, researchers must discover new methods to target cancer cells without harming healthy ones, as they often appear very similar.
• Another challenge is that cancer cells can develop resistance to treatment over time. These cells are capable of adapting to drugs, blocking their effects or even expelling them from the cell. Most cancer drugs require activation through changes within the cell and rely on chemical pathways inside it. However, cancer cells can shut down these pathways. Worse still, they can evolve to alter the molecular properties that the drugs target. As a result, cancer treatments must continually evolve to discover new targets and overcome the tumour’s protective mechanisms.
• Another reason why dealing with cancer is challenging is that tumours come in many different types. Sometimes, the cancer cells within the same tumour can also vary from one another. There are four stages of cancer progression, with stage four being the most aggressive, making tumours extremely difficult to treat. At this stage, cells can spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
• Moreover, existing drugs are unlikely to eliminate all cancer cells in a specific area. While developing targeted therapies is beneficial, these treatments are unlikely to be universally effective due to several critical biological differences in cancer cell growth.

Let’s find the answer to the questions like:  

• Is cancer curable?
• Can cancer be cured?
• When will cancer be cured?  

The chances of a cure are greatest when cancer is detected in its earliest stage, allowing for surgical removal or targeted treatment. Regular screenings can facilitate early detection or even help prevent certain types of cancer, like colon and breast cancer. More than half of patients diagnosed with cancer now survive for over 10 years, a significant increase from a much lower percentage two decades ago. This improvement is due in part to earlier detection and also to major advancements in treatment options.

Many cancers do not show clear symptoms, and sometimes, their symptoms resemble those of other health issues. Moreover, we do not yet have screening tests for every type of cancer. For example, uterine cancer is the most prevalent gynaecologic cancer, yet there is no standard screening test available. Individuals are advised to inform their healthcare provider about any unusual symptoms and to maintain regular annual pelvic exams. If the symptoms of uterine cancer are mild, confused with those of other health issues, or absent altogether, the cancer may have the opportunity to advance to more advanced stages.

While most advanced stages of cancer may not be curable, recent advancements in treatment allow many individuals with cancer to experience a meaningful quality of life. Patients are experiencing prolonged life spans, and their quality of life significantly improves when appropriate cancer treatment is identified for them. Although it may not be able to cure the disease at this point, and, more likely, cancer will ultimately affect their life, the healthcare provider is extending their survival and enhancing their quality of life for numerous years.

How to avoid cancer?

Even with all the healthy lifestyle changes you make, there is no guarantee that you won’t develop cancer or other health problems. Sometimes, things happen that we just cannot explain. Plus, you cannot change your genetics. Claiming that cancer can be entirely prevented is somewhat of an exaggeration. However, you can take steps to manage your cancer risk. Research from around the world shows that making simple daily choices can reduce your chances of developing cancer by over 45%. While cancer can arise from various factors, some cases may have been preventable. Here are some ways to lower the risk of developing cancer.

Quit smoking: Cigarettes and the smoke they produce are filled with harmful chemicals that are essentially toxic. These toxins can harm the DNA, which serves as the genetic blueprint for your body’s cells, potentially leading to the development of cancer.

Avoid (or limit) alcohol: Alcohol is a recognised cancer risk factor. Whether it is beer, wine or liquor, each drink you consume raises your chances of developing cancer. Studies indicate that frequent alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers in the:

• Breast
• Colon and rectum
• Oesophagus
• Larynx (voice box)
• Liver
• Mouth
• Throat

Keep a healthy weight: Obesity slightly increases the risk for almost all types of cancer.

Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity offers benefits beyond just fitness and toning. It can also lower your risk of developing several common types of cancer, including:

• Breast
• Colon and rectum
• Oesophagus
• Kidney
• Lung
• Stomach
• Uterine

Eating natural food: The health risks increase with the level of processing in foods. Following an eating plan that emphasises natural foods can help protect against cancer.

Practising safe sex: Engaging in safe sex offers more than just protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It can also lower your risk of developing certain cancers. This is particularly important because high-risk strains of STIs, like HPV (human papillomavirus) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), have been associated with various types of cancer. These include:

• Cervical cancer
• Cancers of the larynx, mouth and throat
• Anal cancer
• Vaginal and vulvar cancers
• Penile cancer

Conclusion

Every cancer is different, just as every person who has been diagnosed with cancer is unique. Care teams take into account the type, subtype and stage of cancer, the patient’s general health and the patient’s preferences when developing cancer treatment plans. Treatments have to be effective in killing the cancer but also be well tolerated by the patient. Cancer treatment has improved significantly, but methods are still evolving. Ongoing research reveals better ways to differentiate healthy cells from cancerous ones, allowing for more precise therapies with fewer side effects.