Even though I was not supposed to post anything until later this month, I encountered such an interesting article on "The Guarding" that I could not resist. We all know leukaemia is one of the most dangerous and invasive types of cancer. Affecting mainly children. Thus, the reason why Professor Greaves from The Institute of Cancer Research in London developed a method to counter leukaemia and may be on the verge to putting it into practice.

Professor Greaves has been studying leukaemia in children for about 30 years. Throughout all this time he has tried to solve the puzzle as to why children are more prone to acquiring it. The answer may come as a surprise to you. Since it is in fact much more simple than you can imagine. Despite 90% of cases being cured in the UK, the treatment is highly painful and toxic. Not to mention it can bring on long-term side-effects. Ironically however, most cases of leukaemia are a feature of developed nations and not of developing ones. As a matter of fact, "leukaemia is caused by a sequence of bioligal events". The trigger being a genetic mutation due to an accident in the womb. Regardless of it not being inherited, it leaves the child at risk of acquiring the disease later in life.

Be that as it may, for full leukaemia to take place, another biological event must occur. It entails the immune system. What is more, "for an immune system to function properly, it needs needs to be confronted by an infection the first year of life." According to Greaves, without that confrontation, the system is left unprimed. Hence, it will be unable to work properly. Why does this happen nonetheless? Well, 21st century parents are actually overdoing household cleaning it may seem. Case in point, the unnecessary use antibacterial soaps, antiseptic wipes, among others. Which in fact weakens the immune system of younglings. Not to mention that less breast feeding and lack of social interaction with other children is debilitating it as well. Consequently, Greaves and his team are working on a way to restore the amount of microbes that a healthy human gut should have. Given that in 1st world nations, people tend to have far less bacterial species in their guts. The solution might come in the form of a yogurt-like drink.

Finally, it would be more than helpful to add some background knowledge on what happens when a person develops leukaemia. Blood cells are made in bone marrow. We have red blood cells, which carry oxygen around our bodies. On other hand, we also have white blood cells which fight infection. Lastly, we have platelets which stop bleeding and are created whenever a person is hurt. Notwithstanding, when a person develops leukaemia, too many white blood cells are produced. The aforesaid stops the normal cells in your bone marrow from growing. As a result, your health suffers owing to a reduction of the cells listed above.

 

Sources:

- https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/dec/30/children-leukaemia-mel-greaves-microbes-protection-against-disease