Although there is a lot of research done on genetic causes of cancer, as well as the identification of risk factors, these do not really identify a solid cause of cancer. The risk factors for cancer given by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) name a lot of things that are correlated with increased rates of cancer. But they also say that the majority of people with risk factors are not ever diagnosed with cancer. So this makes the value of risk factors dubious, at best.
Otto Warburg, a prolific researcher and Nobel Laureate, found that low oxygen levels in cells cause them to become cancerous. He also discovered that while normal cells function from aerobic (air loving) respiration, cancer cells generate energy from anaerobic respiration. Some think that cancer is a survival mechanism that allows cells to live in a low oxygen environment. continue reading…
