The C.A.R.E Chronicle - July Edition
- contactthecaregrou
- Aug 26, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Aug 28, 2025
Science Behind Cancer
Sara Gehani
What is cancer?
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. Normally, cells grow in an organized way because of instructions in our genes. Genes are sections of DNA that act like blueprints. They tell cells when to grow, repair themselves, or die when they are old or damaged.
Cancer begins when certain genes develop changes called mutations. These mutations may happen spontaneously when cells copy their DNA, or they can be caused by external factors like smoking, radiation, harmful chemicals, or some viruses.
There are two main types of genes involved in cancer: oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Oncogenes normally help cells grow. When mutated, they can become overactive and constantly signal the cell to keep dividing, like a gas pedal stuck down. Tumor suppressor genes act like brakes within your cells, signaling the cells to stop dividing or to undergo programmed cell death, otherwise known as apoptosis. When the cellular brakes are inactivated due to mutations, the cell loses its ability to regulate growth and apoptosis, therefore the cell cannot shut itself off.
When enough mutations build up, the cell escapes normal control. It keeps multiplying and can form a tumor, which is a mass of extra cells. Some tumors stay in one place and are called benign. Cancerous tumors are called malignant. Malignant tumors can invade nearby tissues and can spread to other parts of the body through the blood or lymph system.
What are solutions to cancer?
Doctors treat cancer in several ways. They may do surgery to remove tumors, give chemotherapy to kill fast-dividing cells, use radiation to destroy cancer cells, or prescribe targeted therapies that focus on specific gene mutations. Cancer research helps scientists understand how these genetic mistakes happen so they can create treatments that are more effective and safer for healthy cells.
AI’s Impact on Cancer
Deepthi Suri
Cancer has been a major cause of death worldwide for centuries, affecting millions of lives each year. It places immense strain on patients, families, and healthcare systems. Since cancer can appear in many different forms and behave differently from person to person, it can be very difficult to diagnose and treat in time. Parallel to this, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has also been progressing at a rapid rate and is now becoming a major aspect in almost every field of life- including medicine. Rapid processing of large quantities of medical data, and analyzing trends that might escape the human eye, AI is transforming the way cancer is comprehended. AI is transforming cancer care through the enablement of earlier and more precise diagnosis, enabling more precise diagnosis, and driving individualized planning of treatment. One of the most vital ways in which AI is transforming cancer treatment is by improving the methods by which early and accurate detection of cancer can be made.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School developed an AI system that can actually predict cancer three years before it is diagnosed based only on medical reports (Harvard Medical School). This catches a very lethal cancer much earlier than the current methods. Similarly, a computer program called Sybil scans CT scans and predicts lung cancer risk after six years, even among patients with no indication (Harvard Medical School). AI improves screen accuracy with identifying patterns that the human eye cannot. AI has even matched dermatologists in the detection of skin cancers using image analysis, which helps earlier diagnosis-especially in areas with limited access to specialists (Cancer Research Institute). These developments demonstrate how AI enables faster, more precise identification of cancer to improve patient treatment and amplify its growing role in modern oncology. Another central point of influence of AI on cancer treatment is its potential to improve diagnosis and prediction.
Stanford researchers have developed an AI platform named SEQUOIA that can predict hundreds of gene expression patterns from standard biopsy slides without the requirement of expensive genetic testing (Stanford Medicine). This helps doctors better understand the behavior of a tumor and determine its treatment. Stanford's MUSK model also combines clinical text, imaging, and patient data identify cancer types and predict outcomes with higher accuracy (Stanford HAI). These technologies allow doctors to make more informed decisions and predict what a patient's cancer will likely develop into. By improving diagnostic accuracy and estimating future risk, AI is helping to construct stronger personalized care and is allowing for more effective treatment plans. It is also dramatically changing cancer care by allowing personalized treatment planning.
At Stanford, artificial intelligence algorithms forecast how patients will respond to a particular treatment as well as whether or not their cancer will recur (Stanford Medicine). This enables doctors to more individualized therapies for each patient's individual circumstance rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. AI is also used to guide radiation and chemotherapy choices by assessing the nature of the tumor and simplifying dose targeting. In addition, scientists are using AI to identify novel targets for drugs and match patients with immunotherapies based on specific genetic and molecular biomarkers (Cancer Research Institute). Not only do these technologies improve the precision of therapies but also avoid ineffective or detrimental interventions. As AI continues to advance, its role in making cancer treatment more effective and personalized is becoming more important than ever.
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the identification of cancer, allowing doctors to diagnose the illness at an earlier point and more precisely than previously. It is also helping to make more accurate diagnoses and predict how cancers will develop, giving doctors more information to guide their decisions. In addition, AI helps deliver more personalized treatment protocols by predicting patient response and identifying the optimal treatments. In conclusion, these developments illustrate how cancer treatment is being redefined through AI by facilitating detection, diagnosis, and treatment in the smarter and more personalized manner.
10 Myths About Cancer - Debunked Research
Shylah Bhatia
Many popular myths and ideas about cancer exist despite lacking scientific support. These beliefs can spread among people with cancer or those who know someone with it, causing unnecessary stress. Here are ten common myths about cancer, along with reasons why they are false.
Cancer is contagious.
This is not true. Cancer can only be transmitted if a transplant involves a carcinogenic tissue or organ.
Cell phones cause cancer.
Cancer is caused by genetic mutations.
Although radiation can induce mutations, cell phones emit low-frequency energy that does not harm genes.
Herbal products can cure cancer.
This is false. While herbal remedies may help alleviate some side effects of cancer, they cannot stop the uncontrolled cell growth that characterizes the disease. Some herbal treatments may even be harmful as they can interfere with other therapies like chemotherapy or radiation.
Antiperspirants or deodorants can cause breast cancer.
No, Comprehensive studies show no evidence linking the chemicals in these products to changes in breast tissue.
Eating sugar worsens cancer.
Although cancer cells consume more glucose than normal cells, this does not make the cancer worse. Additionally, going on a no-sugar diet will not cure or reduce cancer.
No family history of cancer means you’re not at risk.
Cancer is a genetic disease, but genetic mutations are not always inherited. Only 5-10% of cancers are passed down genetically. Often, environmental or lifestyle factors cause mutations that lead to cancer.
Cosmetics cause cancer.
There is no evidence that chemicals in cosmetic products like hair dye cause cancer. While these products may emit strong fumes, they are not linked to the growth of cancerous cells.
Cancer is always painful.
Some types of cancer do not cause pain. Even in cases where pain occurs, medical advances have made it manageable.
Today's technology can always detect cancer early.
Although technological advancements have improved diagnosis and treatment, early detection is not guaranteed. Cancer is highly complex, making it difficult to identify and treat early.
Surgery causes cancer to spread.
In many cases, surgery is the primary treatment to remove cancerous cells. Sometimes patients feel worse after surgery, but this is not because the cancer is spreading.
Don’t let online myths cause you unnecessary stress. Focus on the facts!
Sources:
Cancer Event Highlight
Aashi Jeyaganesh
In honor of National Cancer Research Month in May, The C.A.R.E. Group hosted an inspiring and educational cancer awareness event at Bell Works, focused on teaching kids about prevalent cancers such as bone cancer, brain cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, and skin cancer. This event featured engaging presentations, interactive activities, as well as professional guest speakers who helped bring the science and impact of cancer to life for all attendees.
We proudly welcomed guest nonprofits, including the Health Hope Initiative, which empowers youth to advocate for healthier lifestyles and raise awareness for breast cancer, and G’s Giving Gowns, which donates custom gowns to patients battling serious illnesses. Professional guest speakers added immense value to the event, including Kelly A. Gray, outpatient rehab manager at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, who discussed how oncology rehab and physical therapy play a critical role in helping children and adults recover during and after cancer treatment. We also heard from Dr. Asnani, a respected endocrinologist with over 20 years of experience, who provided valuable insights into how cancer can affect hormone health.
The day concluded with a poster contest on the dangers of smoking and vaping, sparking powerful conversations and creativity. Kids stayed fully engaged through fun interactive activities between lessons, and our exciting raffles with generous sponsors made the event even more memorable.
Sarcoma/Bone Cancer
Saina Macker
Cancer is a group of diseases that can affect many parts of the human body. Sarcoma, also sometimes referred to as bone cancer, is the uncontrollable growth of cells in bones, muscles, or cartilage. When sarcoma originates specifically inside the bone, it is known as bone cancer. This uncontrolled growth can damage and weaken the bone, leading to many different symptoms. Some of these symptoms include pain, swelling, lumps, limited movement, and an increased risk of fractures. Bone cancer may also lead to the formation of a tumor. A tumor is a mass of tissue that forms when cells grow and divide more than they should.
Bone cancers are relatively rare and can affect people of all ages, although they are more commonly diagnosed in children and young adults. Early detection and treatment for sarcoma and bone cancer are crucial for improving outcomes. Common symptoms of sarcoma include persistent pain in the affected area, noticeable swelling or lumps, and limited movement or difficulty using the limb or joint near the tumor. Diagnosing sarcoma involves a combination of imaging techniques and laboratory tests. Doctors typically use X-rays, MRI scans, and CT scans to visualize the bone and identify any abnormalities.
Another crucial step for confirming the presence of cancer cells is a biopsy, where a small sample of tissue is extracted and examined under a microscope. Treatment for sarcoma usually involves surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Surgery aims to remove the cancerous tumor while preserving as much of the surrounding healthy tissue as possible. Chemotherapy uses powerful medicine to kill cancer cells throughout the body, while radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells in a specific area.
The specific treatment plan depends on factors such as the type and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient's overall health. Early detection and prompt treatment are essential for improving outcomes and increasing the chances of successful recovery. Researchers continue to explore new and innovative approaches to treating sarcoma, offering hope for improved therapies in the future.
Make sure to check back next month to see the next set of student-written articles for the August Newspaper!!
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