Science Friday ‘A Many-Headed Beast’: Telling The Story Of Cancer
Nov 24, 2025
Siddhartha Mukherjee, a cancer physician and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, joins to explore the evolving landscape of cancer research. He likens cancer to a multi-headed hydra, discussing how cancer's shared genetic traits can inform treatment. He highlights the concerning rise of colorectal cancer in young people and delves into new carcinogens, including those linked to inflammation and air pollution. Mukherjee stresses the importance of nuanced communication in science to rebuild trust and shares insights on how art influences his writing.
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Cancer As A Many-Headed Beast
- Siddhartha Mukherjee describes cancer as a many-headed hydra with no single identity.
- He emphasizes that there is no one way to think about cancer and metaphors can help or harm depending on the person.
A Shared Genetic Center
- Mukherjee highlights a core commonality: cancer arises from cellular genetic aberrations.
- He argues this shared center is what prevention and treatment strategies often target.
New Class Of Carcinogens: Inflammogens
- Mukherjee confirms rising colorectal cancer in young people is real and not a statistical mirage.
- He introduces 'inflammogens' that create a pro-malignant soil enabling dormant cancer cells to grow.
