Imagine a person living in ancient Greece gets cancer. They visit a doctor, who tells them they have too much “black bile.” This was a fluid they thought was in the body that affected health and how people looked and acted. The doctor would say that the fluid, made by the pancreas, was clogged somewhere and made a tumor. The doctor could prescribe a drug or surgery, much like today. But, back then, those “treatments” for black bile wouldn’t work. Later research did not find any black bile, and newer ideas came around.
After the microscope was invented, scientists could actually see the cancer cells in tumors. With a better understanding of cancer, they were able to figure out some real causes and treatments.
When someone gets cancer, they often wonder why. What happened to cause this? Will it happen to someone in their family? Was there some way to prevent this? Here are some things we know about what causes cancer.
Read more about: What is Cancer?
Bibliographic details:
- Article: What Causes Cancer?
- Author(s): Dr. Biology
- Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
- Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
- Date published: 16 Nov, 2023
- Date accessed: 22 January, 2025
- Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/What/Causes/Cancer
APA Style
Dr. Biology. (Thu, 11/16/2023 - 22:26). What Causes Cancer?. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/What/Causes/Cancer
Chicago Manual of Style
Dr. Biology. "What Causes Cancer?". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 16 Nov 2023. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/What/Causes/Cancer
MLA 2017 Style
Dr. Biology. "What Causes Cancer?". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 16 Nov 2023. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/What/Causes/Cancer
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