Inflammation Ignites Cancer

Most importantly, inflammation promotes the spreading and mutating of cancer cells while continuing to push the mutations within the cancer cells’ development. Inflammation also enhances tumors ability to recruit blood supply (angiogenesis) and more.

Unfortunately, inflammation and cancer signaling pathways are ignored for most cancers in the oncology world. Basically, inflammation is one of the leading factors that contributes to uncontrolled growth of cancers cells and spreading (metastasis). We will explain helpful approaches to give cancer patients an edge in treatment and overall cancer planning.

Uncovering and treating the cause of inflammation, rather than just treating the symptoms, is an important key when fighting cancer or chronic disease. To get to the root of the inflammation, we have to learn what causes inflammation and how to deal with it. Let’s get started.

Inflammation can become chronic if the cause of the inflammation persists or certain control mechanisms in charge of shutting down the process fail. When these inflammatory responses become chronic, cell mutation and proliferation can result, often creating an environment that is conducive to the development of cancer. The so-called “perfect storm” is an extreme challenge that cancer patients face.

This is true for the onset of cancer, but also even more important for advancement of the disease. The cancer a patient begins with becomes very different in the later stages, becoming more mutated and complex to treat. Various signaling pathways are key contributors to creating epigenetic changes on the outside of the cell, switching on these internal mutations. Therefore, treating the inflammatory causes is always important.

Despite popular belief, less than five percent of cancer is solely genetic (in the sense of being directly inherited by family members). Most cancers have a cause and those causes bring about chronic inflammation as part of the process. New research suggests an emerging link between infection, epigenetics and cancer. Changes catalyzed by pathogenic inflammation can transform cells into cancerous tumors. According to ScienceDirect.com, “Several types of inflammation—differing by cause, mechanism, outcome, and intensity—can promote cancer development and progression.” [1] A study by the Cancer Research Institute also agrees, saying, “Chronic inflammation plays a multifaceted role in carcinogenesis.” [2]

Many cancers are linked to viruses or bacteria that promote reversible, epigenetic changes in the body’s cells. At minimum, 20 percent or more of cancers are linked to infectious disease, according to the Journal of American Medical Associates.

Some Well-Known Examples: