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 (...