Cancer cells seem to appear inside the body randomly and without origin. Researchers know that there is nothing random about it and in fact the cancer cells are mutations of human body cells. This explains why much of the body’s immune system does not “defend” the body against the cancer cells – the immune system doesn’t recognize them as foreign.

Researchers have exhausted themselves to gain knowledge of healthy cell behavior. They understand just about every part of human physiology there is. So, they have tremendous references of normal cell behavior from which to observe the differences between healthy and cancerous cells. That area of cancer research is called “profiling” – because the tumors (cancer cell growth) each follow the same patterns of function.

These essential patterns of difference supply the researchers with information and evidence regarding the needs of the particular cancer or disease process. The theory being that altering the body chemistry or nutrient supply to the cancer – could destroy it. The theory is gaining support and there are now cases where particular tumors are being driven into atrophy (inactivity) because the patient’s nurturing of the cancer has been stopped.

Researchers hope that soon, there will be alternatives to harsh chemotherapy, pharmaceutical and surgical procedures – the predominant methods of dealing with cancer today. There are almost a 100 new disease pathology altering treatments in development for cancer and since 1997, when Genetech’s Rituxan came to market – and the number is growing. There were three approved by the FDA last May (2003) and the FDA is streamlining the process going forward.

Cancer continues to be a major cause of death in our population, and each individual should regularly be examined by their doctor as well as strive to live a lifestyle that nurtures their body’s health, not that of a disease process.

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