Cancer theories can be difficult to understand. There are many popular current theories in the medical world. Here are a couple that pop up often in the research.

Lesion Theory:

This theory hypothesizes that cancer starts from lesions in the body. Lesions can come from injuries, illness, inflammation and calcium deposits. Trophoblast cells are found primarily in areas that have been injured, and in the placenta. Trophoblasts are part of the repair system activated in injured areas, allowing cells to replicate, forming new tissue in the damaged area. Sometimes, trophoblasts do not get the signal to stop reproducing and, consequently, reproduce out of control, forming tumors. This may be due to faulty or damaged DNA that is responsible for sending the signal to trophoblast cells to stop reproducing. There are many factors that damage the DNA, including environmental toxins, and chemicals and toxins in the diet.

Viral Theory:

In this theory, it is proposed that cancers are formed as a result of viral infections. Many cancers, including head and neck, stomach, cervical, brain, prostate, among others, are shifting into this category. Although some research has found viruses in cancerous tissue, it is unclear which came first, the cancer or the virus. It is possible that the virus, being opportunistic, has an easier time invading compromised areas in the body, such as those weakened by lesions from causes other than the virus itself.

Vaccines, such as Gardasil for cervical cancer, were developed with this theory at their core. Since viruses cause lesions, preventing the virus would prevent the lesions that lead to cancer. But the information surrounding the safety and effectiveness of such vaccines is uncertain. Since Gardasil was fast tracked through the FDA for approval, the side effects, both long and short term are, only now, beginning to surface. Also, we do not know that these viruses cause lesions in everyone, and if they do, most people's DNA can handle the proper repair of the area. The type of cervical cancer supposedly prevented by Gardasil is rare in the first place, so mandatory or wide spread use of the vaccine is unwarranted.

My Take on DNA Damage:

Really, in my opinion, every theory leads back to DNA damage. Most people have DNA that knows what to do with rogue cancer cells. Unfortunately, for some of us, our DNA is damaged and the repairs do not go as planned. For example, it appears that people with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, basically, have damage to DNA that tells B cells when to stop multiplying when in repair mode. This allows B cells to continue growing even after damage has been repaired. DNA damage that may contribute to certain cancers, like breast cancer, may be passed down from generation to generation.