2015-09-18

Understanding Cancer - The Cancer Series part 2


In the latest part that also happened to be the first part of the Cancer Series we answered the question "What is cancer?".
We know that it is when a cell's normal division is out of control and it grows uncontrollably in size and number and spreads in the body. You can read part 1 here.

But cells are supposed to divide and grow, so what are the differences between a normal cell and a cancer cell? I'll try and answer that today.

There are quite a few traits or "hallmarks" if you will, that are connected to cancer. These traits are all that is needed for a normal healthy cell to become a malignant cancer cell. These are the underlying principles that are needed to create a cancer:

1. They are self-sufficient and can stimulate their own growth
Usually cells need signals that tell them to grow. A cancer cell does not need this signal, but can grow even without it.

2. They can resist signals that would normally stop their growth
Cells are not supposed to grow unless there is a signal telling it to do so. A cancer cell can ignore the signals that say "Stop growing!" and continue to grow when a normal cell would not.

3. They can resist what is called apoptosis
Apoptosis is a programmed and normal cell death that happens when cells get older. A cancer cell however can refuse apoptosis i.e. death, by ignoring the signals.

4. They can multiply without an end
Normal cells can only multiply a set number of times. Cancer cells do not have this limit and become "immortal".

5. They can stimulate the growth of blood vessels
The process by which new blood vessels are formed is called angiogenesis and is not something that all cells can do. Cancer cells can kickstart the process and by doing so can supply themselves with nutrients through the newly formed blood vessels.

6. They can invade surrounding tissue, spread and become metastases
Normal cells can only grow until they reach another cell, but cancer cells grow beyond that and can break and invade surrounding tissue, spreading either on the site or moving through blood vessels or the lymphatic system to reach new sites where they grow.


In a simplified way: A cancer cell can grow on it's own (1) and forever (4), it can ignore signals that tells it to stop growing (2) or that tells it to die (3). At the same time cancer cells can create new blood vessels (5) and by doing so can spread to the rest of the body (6).

As always if you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment down below! I hope you liked this part of the Cancer Series. I would love your feedback on it! Is it too complicated or too easy? Let me know!

On to the outfit...



Beret: Larmoni (here)
Top: KappAhl
Skirt: Larmoni (here

I've worn this skirt before, but I predicted then that it would become a staple in my autumn wardrobe and it really has. I already have a handful more outfits in mind with this skirt. It's a weird fawn colour but it goes with everything! It was such a surprise to me, but I definitely enjoy coming up with new ways to wear it.



The top is from the Swedish clothing store KappAhl, so my Scandinavian readers can find it easily. Just a breton top will do though. I was surprised with how well fawn and navy goes together. I'm also soon starting an entire collection of berets. I just love them! I want one in every colour, and Larmoni basically has me covered.






12 comments:

  1. I love everything that you share on your blog because (in my opinion) everything is helpful. I lost my dad to cancer back in 2OO8, so it's very encouraging to know that someone like you is around to help educate others on the subject. It's very well appreciated.<33

    Vegetarian CourtesyCheese with Papas

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    1. Oh thank you so much darling. That's very sweet of you to say.
      I'm terribly sorry for your loss. Stories like your own is what keeps me motivated in my research. I will do my best to educate people about cancer for as long as I breathe. Thank you Adi! <3 <3
      Much love

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  2. Oh, I just love that outfit! I'm a big fan of breton tops and stripes in general, and you're right--fawn and navy look awesome together!

    I really like your Understanding Cancer series. Cancer is super prevalent in my family, but despite that, I've never really educated myself on it. It's usually too scary or too complicated for me, but this series is great--your explanations are clear and helpful, and it's really nice to read about it from someone whom I know and like instead of just an article or pamphlet.

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    1. Thank you so much my darling! Yeah who knew that those colour were good together!

      Oh thank you! That means so much to me. I'm sorry it's prevalent in your family, that stinks. I will add a part about the genetics of cancer, and how it is inherited later on in the series.
      I understand that it can become complicated and scary. I hope the way I break it down makes it more clear and easily understood. Aww, thank you so much for all your sweet words about the series. Makes me want to continue it forever. <3
      Much love

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  3. you must really understand your subject well to be able to simplify the science to a level everyone understands :) i'm finding these posts so interesting, thank you mona!

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    1. Beth, darling, thank you so much! I think it's very difficult to talk about science in a simplified way, but it is also very important, because science doesn't matter if it cannot be understood by the public. The public are the ones that need to be able to understand what the obscure things we do in a laboratory actually result in. Thank you so much for saying that, really warms my heart <3
      Much love

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  4. I love that you are writing about important and scientific issues. The content of your posts are making your blog so much more interesting then just talking about superficial things. You have a very good balance between outfits and Science. Love you for that <3
    Everybody loves clothes and I like them as well but combine nice pictures with tenor is much more interesting for me.
    Much love :*

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    1. Thank you so much beautiful Christine! Oh you are so sweet, thank you thank you! <3
      Thanks, the balance is what I'm worried about, I don't want one side to overwhelm the other. But you've boosted my confidence with your kind words now :D
      Thank you my darling <3
      Much love

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  5. Very informative doll, I appreciated that. My brother in law just passed away from cancer. Love the skirt :))) xx

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    1. I'm so very sorry for your loss. I hope he rests in peace.
      Thanks for your kind comments <3
      Much love

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  6. That new post of the cancer series was as interesting as the first one, Mona! And don't worry it is not too difficult to understand! I have to admit, as I was reading about how the cancer cells, I got quite worried because the process has really lost all control, and now I can understand better that cancer cannot actually be cured, as you told me on the previous post.
    On a less serious note, you look kinda French in that outfit haha - might be the beret and the striped tee, which look super cool together especially in that tan colour! :D

    Julia xx

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    1. Thank you so much Julia! <3
      Yes, cancer really is a cell that is out of control! I will talk even some more about why cancer can't be cured in the next post of the cancer series. I made a post regarding just that! So I think it will be an interesting post.
      Oh, thank you. I love looking French, so that was an ultimate compliment ;) Thanks darling <3
      Much love

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