Biology - 18 June - Cell Biology and Cancer

Cancer Cell, from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-03-autophagy-chemotherapy-stress-cancer-cells.html

How sophisticated is our understanding of cancer?
"Cancer cells differ from normal cells in many ways that allow them to grow out of control and become invasive. One important difference is that cancer cells are less specialized than normal cells. That is, whereas normal cells mature into very distinct cell types with specific functions, cancer cells do not. This is one reason that, unlike normal cells, cancer cells continue to divide without stopping."(1)

Cancer appears to be a process whereby normal cells turn rogue: either continuing to split through osmosis or no longer fulfilling their duties as a specified cell. What appears to be complicated about treating cancer is that the "disease" is created by the body itself--and it is difficult to attack cancer cells without attacking healthy cells. (2) It also appears that many things in our environment are adding to our chances of developing cancer. The growing cofactors in cancer development may add the mystery that shrouds finding its cure. 

References

(1) https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer

(2)https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/why-dont-we-have-the-technology-to-cure-cancer-yet_us_5912f40be4b0e070cad70a4f

How does a TCM approach to cancer differ?

Chinese Medicine has a complex approach to treating cancer. Chinese Medicine approaches all disease as a series of cofactors, which allows this system many more tools to deal with health concerns. Cancer can be the result of a number of elemental imbalances. Many cancers are seen as severe phlegm conditions. Thus, Chinese Medicine helps the body dissolve it's own phlegm. Further differentiated patterns can be seen in hot or cold phlegm--thus changing the treatment method of the doctor. Chinese Medicine also advocates for preventative medicine, thus at the slightest hint of imbalance, a Chinese Medicine practitioner can transform disharmonious patterns that can eventually lead to cancer. The bio-medical approach to diagnosing cancer is very obtuse, and cancers are often not found until they are well past the point of cure. (1)

References 

(1) http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/20/19/4978