Why Cancer is So Hard to Kill

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Cancer remains one of the most challenging diseases to treat, but why is it so difficult to kill? In this video, Jonathan from the Institute of Human Anatomy explains how cancer begins, the body’s natural defenses against it, and the factors that increase the risk of cancer development.

Using cadavers from the lab, we’ll uncover how cancer impacts the body, the difference between benign and malignant tumors, and the devastating process of metastasis. Learn about the role of carcinogens, genetic predispositions, and the battle between cancer cells and healthy cells. Plus, we’ll discuss how chemotherapy works and its effects on the body.

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Table of Contents
0:00 - Intro: Why Is Cancer So Hard to Kill?
0:55 - What Is Cancer and How Does It Begin?
1:55 - Understanding Oncogenes, Proto-Oncogenes, and Anti-Oncogenes
2:33 - The Body’s Anti-Cancer Army: How Your Body Fights Cancer
4:33 - What Causes Gene Mutations Leading to Cancer?
5:38 - How Environmental Factors Increase Cancer Risk
6:10 - Carcinogens: What Are They and How Do They Work?
6:27 - Can Physical Irritants Lead to Cancer?
6:42 - The Role of Viruses in Cancer Development
6:53 - How Genetics Influence Cancer Risk
7:11 - Why Is Cancer So Dangerous?
7:37 - What Are Benign Tumors?
7:59 - Malignant Tumors: Why They’re Life-Threatening
8:39 - Metastasis Explained: How Cancer Spreads
9:00 - Real-Life Cases: How Cadavers in the Lab Died from Cancer
9:45 - How Cancer Spread Affects Survival
10:25 - Cancer Cells vs. Normal Cells: The Battle Inside the Body
11:29 - Final Thoughts on Cancer Cells and Treatment

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Music I use: Bensound
License code: AX6SOUCVCUFMTQME
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Common Questions:
What is cancer and how does it develop in the body?
What are proto-oncogenes and oncogenes?
How does the body naturally fight against cancer?
What factors increase the risk of gene mutations?
How do carcinogens contribute to cancer development?
Can physical irritants lead to cancer?
What role do viruses play in cancer formation?
How can genetics predispose someone to cancer?
What makes cancer cells so dangerous?
What is the difference between benign and malignant tumors?

#cancer #oncology #cancerresearch #metastasis #humananatomy

[zoul]

Just want to say thank you to the people who allowed these videos to be, by giving their body to science .

[snorky]

I had immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma. Cancer-free for 8 or 9 years now (I finally stopped counting.). Once you've had cancer, you think everything is cancer. It messes with your mind. But living on borrowed time is kind of cool, just happy to be alive, so it's all good!

[sharonsharlow]

My sister died of breast cancer 2 months ago. From diagnosis to death, it took only 14 months. It metastasized to many locations, and the failure of the liver is what took her.


She was so strong, and fought to the very end

[K_Isla]

I’m not a medical professional but I’m addicted to this channel.

[Niteman]

I cannot truly express my appreciation for this video. I lost my father about 20 years ago to liver cancer. Yes he was a smoker. Yes, he was a drinker, but you never get a real understanding of cancer. There’s never really closure, but this video just helped me understand what my father was up against. I love this channel. I love what you guys do. Keep doing what you’re doing again my upmost respect and thank you.

[kellyharper]

I'm a retired R.N., science geek, and former Bio/Chem lab assistant during my college years. I dig this channel! Science and Mathematics ROCK! 🤟

[KinGizzard]

I worked as veterinary oncology assistant for 15 years. One of the hardest things to explain to our clients was that most pets live 1-3 years after diagnosis (dependent on tumor-type and treatment protocol).
1-3 years is such a short amount of time in our eyes, but to a dog or a cat, it's about 4 - 21 years...
(Edited to clarify I was a veterinary assistant)

[HelenTierney-ovuh]

We are fearfully and wonderfully made!!

[timalexander]

I have/had a rare leukemia, CML. I was diagnosed in 2015 very early in the cancer. The development in 2001 of Gleevec, a very specic drug know as a TKI -tyrosine linear inhibitor. This drug causes the bad white cell to quickly be "turnedoff" and reproduction halted. It took two years of a daily pill to become undetectable. After an additional seven years, my oncologist and I decided to stop the pills as a test to determine if my body had killed the bone marrow stem cells that caused the cancer. It has been 6 months since my monthly blood tests have shown any cancer. With some cancers, the diesese can be treated successful. I had no side effects on two different TKIs. The cost is outrageous at over $18K per month for the meds in the USA. Plus regular oncology visits and genetic testing. I had great insurance and paid almost nothing. I pray one day science will find similar cures for all cancers.

[saintessa]

I had gallbladder surgery a couple years back during Christmas. On the eve my nurse was a veteran soldier or army reserves (aus) and he'd had most of his bowels removed from cancer and I think that Xmas could have been one of the last he'd seen and he was in pain himself but he was so kind and I felt so cared for... He had some genuine down to earth conversation too, that in his spare time he works as nursing. I hope he's still around but if he isn't he definitely made an impact on my life for the better and others.

[ednazurcher]

Thanks for a great explanation!
I'm a ....over 10 years cancer survivor ❤

[LucasChurch-yllw]

I quit smoking about a week ago, ive only been able to quit for a month or few weeks at a time. This time im feeling good despite the other mental things going on.🙏

[Coppersaguaro]

In 2024 my sister was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, two months later my mom with Lymphoma, a month later my cousin with breast cancer. Rough year for our family. My step dad died from pancreatic cancer at 58. Thanks for the video.

[ThrewOutMyHalo]

Let's talk about insurance companies making it unaffordable for people to get proper screening. I can get a mammogram covered, but because I had 2 clips - from lumps they found - I also have to get an ultrasound, which is not covered. So unless I have $600 to $800 to spare, I can't afford to get my mammogram each year.

[connor_flanigan]

my grandmothers lived to 94 and 95. 3 of my great grandmothers lived to be 84, 89 and 99. they never had cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc and ended up dying of nothing.

[RJ-gosn]

To the kind and thoughtful souls who donated their bodies to science, I thank you. The benefit to us all in research is profound, and hopefully life changing for many people every day. R.I.P. with blessings. And thank you for such a concise explanation as to how cancer "works"!

[brittanymcphee]

I love this channel so much!! Thank you so much for having this channel, and thank you to the humans who donated their bodies for research!!

[LinkaBellGAME]

I had my thyroid taken out in 2022 or 2023 somewhere between those two, and my body did a fascinating thing, i had a cancerous nodule (papillary carcinoma) in my left thyroid but my body encapsulated it with calcium to prevent it from spreading, it was caught very early so I am cancer free.

[Mitology]

I respect that the ad is at the end of the video.

[LisaBeatsCancer]

Battling stage 3 breast cancer the last 3 years...id have love to get even 1% of this kind of wonderful education. I feel like both my Oncologist should know this. Thank you so much