Page 116 - The Miracle in the Immune System

n most general terms, cancer can be character-
ised as uncontrolled cell replication. Regardless of
its type, cancer initially develops in a normal, healthy
cell and shares the basic characteristics of this normal
cell, at least in its early developmental stages. However,
these cells tend to lose some of their abilities. One such
important ability is that of reacting to the messages de-
livered by their surrounding or their own organisms
that regulate cell replication. When such a disorder oc-
curs, the cell can no longer control its replication and
the growth of tissues. This process, known as "continu-
ous dividing," is genetically transferred to new cells re-
sulting in the spread of tumours, which in turn invade
the neighbouring tissues. These decomposed cells eat
up the nutrients of other cells, consuming the vital ami-
no acid supply. Cancer cells eventually shut down the
passages within the human body with their expanding
volume. They accumulate in various organs such as the
brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys, surrounding the healthy