Why is treating cancer so hard?

Why is treating cancer so hard?

Treating cancer is one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine. Despite decades of research, progress in combating the disease remains slow and complex. To truly understand why treating cancer is so hard, we must look beyond the traditional view of the disease as a genetic anomaly and delve into the intricate and interrelated factors that contribute to its growth and spread.

At the heart of cancer lies its intelligence. Cancer cells have the ability to rapidly recruit healthy cells to create large masses known as tumors. These tumors create their own micro-environment that feeds back into the growth of cancer. This is why simply targeting and killing cancer cells is not enough to eradicate the disease. To effectively treat cancer, it is necessary to modify the environment that provides the "fertile soil" for its growth and to re-energize the body's immune system so that it can defend itself against the disease.

Cancer is a four-stage process, with stage I cancers being relatively small and contained within the organ it started in, and stage IV cancers having spread from the original site to another body organ. In between, cancer may have spread into surrounding tissues and lymph nodes, making it increasingly difficult to treat as it progresses. 

Most cancers have four stages:

• Stage I usually means that a cancer is relatively small and contained within the organ it started in.
• Stage II usually means cancer has not started to spread into surrounding tissue but the tumor is larger than in Stage I. Sometimes Stage II means that cancer cells have spread to lymph nodes close to the tumor, depending on the type of cancer.
• Stage III usually means the cancer is larger. It may have started to spread into surrounding tissues and there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes in the area.
• Stage IV means cancer has spread from where it started to another body organ. This is also called secondary or metastatic cancer.

The complexity of cancer and the interrelated nature of its growth and spread make it a formidable opponent in the fight against disease. To effectively treat cancer, a multi-disciplinary approach is necessary that includes not only traditional medical therapies, but also the use of holistic medicine to restore the body's natural defenses. This includes re-energizing the immune system and modifying the environment that provides the "fertile soil" for cancer growth.

In conclusion, treating cancer is a complex and challenging task that requires a comprehensive understanding of the interrelated factors that contribute to its growth and spread. By recognizing the intelligence of cancer cells and the importance of modifying the environment and re-energizing the immune system, we can begin to develop effective strategies for combating this devastating disease.