3 ms·
Cells mutate and become cancerous all the time, but the immune system is usually able to recognize this and shut down the errant cells before it becomes a probl
by NickM 3y ago
Cells mutate and become cancerous all the time, but the immune system is usually able to recognize this and shut down the errant cells before it becomes a problem. It's only when the cancer gets lucky with the right site of mutations that it's able to evade the immune system and grow unchecked.
Early diagnosis would obviously be a good thing if we can reliably tell which cancers will become a problem. My concern is that most patients may have a hard time understanding this distinction, and we may end up with people demanding screenings and treatments that they'd be better off without.
In case anyone thinks these fears are unfounded, keep in mind this is already a problem with thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer is very common and frequently harmless, but increased screening is leading to more people being treated for it, and it's unclear whether this is a net benefit.
- noncoml 3y agoBut that’s not what the article says? From what I understood they were able to identify only those that end up developing to cancerous tumors. Not the ones that you mention?
- nradov 3y agoNot all cancerous tumors are really dangerous or worth treating. For example, prostate cancer is common among elderly men and they often die of something else before the tumor causes serious symptoms.
- beacon294 3y agoThat's actually no longer recommended. Men are living longer and treating the prostate is almost always recommended now.
- onlyrealcuzzo 3y ago> It's only when the cancer gets lucky with the right site of mutations that it's able to evade the immune system and grow unchecked. What happens if you happen to have some cancer mutations while you're young and healthy - but also super sick and your immune system is busy with other stuff?
- pedalpete 3y agoIs this part of the reason cancer is more prevalent later in life? The longer you live, the more likely something is going to sneak past, along with decreased effectiveness of the immune system as we age?