Cancer, Evolution and the Science of Life – With Kat Arney

Explore the fascinating history and science of cancer in this comprehensive lecture by award-winning science writer Kat Arney. Delve into the origins of cancer, its presence across the animal kingdom, and its evolutionary implications. Discover how modern human life impacts cancer development, and learn about the cellular mechanisms that lead to cancerous growth. Examine the latest advancements in cancer research, including targeted therapies and the challenges of drug resistance. Gain insights into the complex process of cancer development, chromosomal instability, and the role of Darwinian evolution in advanced cancers. Conclude with a discussion on potential solutions and strategies for beating cancer, drawing from the wealth of knowledge accumulated through decades of scientific research.

Intro
What is cancer
Modern human life
Every branch of the tree of life
Cancer is not unique to humans
Cancer has been found in dinosaurs
This is not a new disease
Why is cancer so rare
The oldest cancer diagnosis
A thought experiment
Multicellular body
Rules for cells
Cheaters slime molds
Cape honeybees
Cancer
Cheating cells
The patchwork of mutation
A sad cell
Evolution
Negative Selection
Fitness
clonal expansion
environment
mutational load
Reducing cancerrelated infections
Solutions
Drugs
Targeted therapies
Breath
Resistance
The process of cancer development
Human chromosomes
chromosomal instability
rocket fuel
Darwinian evolution
Advanced cancer
Learning from cancer
How to beat cancer