Cancer, why a strong immune system will help
Why a Strong Immune System Is One of Your Best Defenses Against Cancer
When we think of immunity, we tend to think of colds, flus, or maybe COVID-19. But the immune system is far more than a line of defense against viruses. It is an active surveillance system that plays a critical role in detecting and destroying abnormal cells—especially those that could become cancerous.
Cancer begins when cells acquire mutations that allow them to grow uncontrollably. But long before a tumor becomes visible, the immune system is already at work. Specialized cells like natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes can recognize early signs of transformation in cells and eliminate them. This process, known as immunosurveillance, is one of the body’s natural defenses against cancer (Dunn et al., Nature Immunology, 2002).
In fact, individuals with compromised immune systems—such as transplant recipients on immunosuppressants or people with HIV—have significantly higher cancer rates (Grulich et al., Lancet, 2007). Conversely, robust immune function is linked with reduced cancer risk and better outcomes. For example, higher infiltration of CD8+ T cells into tumors has been associated with longer survival across several cancer types (Fridman et al., Nature Reviews Cancer, 2012).
Maximizing immune health goes far beyond avoiding illness. It includes optimizing sleep, reducing chronic stress (which can impair immune function), maintaining regular physical activity, and eating nutrient-rich, anti-inflammatory foods—all of which are known to support immune performance (Nieman & Wentz, J Sport Health Sci, 2019).
Importantly, cancer cells can sometimes evade immune detection, but a strong immune system makes that evasion more difficult. Immunotherapies—one of the most promising fields in modern oncology—work by reactivating immune cells to do what they were built for: targeting and destroying malignant cells.
In short: the stronger your immune system, the more resilient you are—not just to colds, but to cancer itself.
References:
- Dunn GP, Old LJ, Schreiber RD. The immunobiology of cancer immunoediting and immunotherapy. Nat Immunol. 2002;3(11):991-998.
- Grulich AE, van Leeuwen MT, Falster MO, Vajdic CM. Incidence of cancers in people with HIV/AIDS compared with immunosuppressed transplant recipients: a meta-analysis. Lancet. 2007;370(9581):59–67.
- Fridman WH, Pagès F, Sautès-Fridman C, Galon J. The immune contexture in human tumours: impact on clinical outcome. Nat Rev Cancer. 2012;12(4):298–306.
- Nieman DC, Wentz LM. The compelling link between physical activity and the body's defense system. J Sport Health Sci. 2019;8(3):201–217.
Chatgpt & Elizabeth Lucy Robillard 2025
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