• Question: For how long have you been studying cancer for?

    Asked by dior101 to Zara, Jess on 13 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by imaperson.
    • Photo: Jessica Chu

      Jessica Chu answered on 13 Jun 2011:

      We had 2 modules that covered a few things about cancer in my undergraduate degree (Biochemistry, 3 years). It really fascinated me because cancer cells are so clever so I decided to do a Master’s degree (Oncology (study of cancer), 1 year). I really enjoy learning anything about cancer so I have decided to do a PhD research project related to cancer too 🙂

      Cancer cells are so clever in many ways because they will eventually develop resistance to whatever method you decide to get rid of it. For example, a drug you have made can travel through the protein channels (like doors) to get inside and attack the cancer cell- this is obviously a great thing! And many drugs in the past do this but later on you might find the drug not having much effect.
      This is because the cancer cell will develop some new mutant protein channels (doors) that the drug no long fits to get inside and cause damage!
      So that is one reason why although there are many good treatments out there but sooner or later resistance develops so cancer is still killing many people 🙁

    • Photo: Zara Gladman

      Zara Gladman answered on 13 Jun 2011:

      Unlike Jess, I don’t study cancer! I study crayfish and other animals in freshwater ecosystems, like rivers and lakes. Cancer is a really interesting and important subject though, so I’m glad that people like Jess are doing research on it! 🙂

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