Question
1. If you cured one cancer, would you be able
to cure them all? Explain why or why not.
2. How many mutated genes does it normally
take for a human cell to become cancerous?
3. What are traditional strategies used to
"cure" or treat cancer? What are the
downfalls to these strategies?
4. What are newer strategies being researched
to "cure" or treat cancer? What are the
downfalls?
Answer
1. No, different types of cancer have different causes and mechanisms, so a cure for one type of cancer may not work for another.
2. It varies, but it typically takes multiple mutations in different genes for a human cell to become cancerous.
3. Traditional strategies include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Downfalls include side effects, damage to healthy cells, and the potential for cancer to return.
4. Newer strategies being researched include immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and gene therapy. Downfalls include high cost, limited effectiveness for some types of cancer, and potential side effects.