[Becky]

Ellie

You are exactly right that the body doesn't work the same with cancer as it does with viruses and bacteria. That is because there is some component in cancer that is inherently you and the body, in general, does not attack "self". This is why they are studying other diseases in conjunction with this work in which the body does attack "self" such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rhemotoid arthritis etc. They believe these diseases where the body attacks certain organs or structures may have been caused by a virus and the body goes into overtime and attacks nerves, joints etc.

Also, it seems, that the cancer tumor itself, once it begins to be attacked by the immune system somehow changes and actually engulfs attacking killer T cells and changes them. This change then causes the body to continue to manufacture killer T cells with this changes rendering them ineffective.

Anyway, alot of research is being done on changing the way the immune system works against cancer so someday a woman in the future who has a cancerous lump will only get some shots that will dissolve and annilate the tumor - no chemo, no rads, no surgery. A couple of shots and you're done. That will be so great. One day my grandchildren will say, "what are you talking about grandma? You mean they cut you, poisoned you and burned you?"