Today, I had to explain how cancer works to my Biology 101 students. I had to tell them how cells can find ways to bypass the checkpoints that are meant to protect us. I had to tell them how a single mutation can cause a tumor to begin forming. I had to tell them how the proliferation of one’s own human cells can harm them so harshly. I had to tell them how metastasis of a tumor almost inevitably leads to death.
Michael’s cells found a way to pass those protective checkpoints. Michael’s cells had mutations that caused his tumor to form. Michael’s cells proliferated uncontrollably and changed his life forever. Michael’s tumor metastasized…and it ultimately claimed his life.
Though I was holding back tears explaining these concepts to my students, my pain and sadness weren’t what made this so difficult. What made this so hard was not having the answers to the questions they asked.
“How do the cells bypass those checkpoints?” There are many complex ways, most of which are unknown.
“Where do these mutations come from?” We know some mutations come from things like UV radiation and harmful chemicals, but there’s so much more that we just don’t know.
“Why do cells continue to proliferate?” Well, they don’t respond normally to density inhibition. “Why?” We don’t know.
“What allows a tumor to metastasize?” It enters the blood or lymph vessels and travels to other parts of the body. “How can we stop that?” We don’t know.
THERE IS SO MUCH WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT CANCER…AND WE KNOW EVEN LESS ABOUT PEDIATRIC CANCER SPECIFICALLY!
I participate in cancer research and advocate so hard for pediatric cancer research because WE. NEED. ANSWERS. I’m tired of looking at these little cells under a microscope, knowing that they had the power to take my best friend away from me.
I will continue fighting until we get to the bottom of this whole cancer thing.
