Chapter17 : Death
A gene called TP53 is responsible for suppressing rogue cancer cells and
is classified as a tumor suppressor gene. These genes are the opposite
of oncogenes, which are genes that encourage cell growth. Ridley
explains that the reason detecting cancer early is so important is that
the more it progresses and the more the cells divide, the more mutations
accumulate. Some cancer victims also carry mutations in mutator genes.
Ridley explains that in various types of cancers TP53 is mutated very
early, which is why chemotherapy and radiation therapy does not always
work effectively in later stages of the disease
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