Let’s talk about TED Talks! These short lectures are a
fantastic way to get an inside look at an issue without having to commit a large
amount of time to it. TED Talks can be given by anyone: from an expert in the
field to someone who has lived through a specific experience. It isn’t
surprising that there has been a great number of these presentations on the
subject of cancer, especially given its prevalence and how much research is
going on in the race to find a cure. This link provides access to 10 TED talks
about cancer that you might find interesting listen to. Here’s a quick summary
of each of them listed in case you want to find the ones that appeal to your
interests:
1. A different approach for cancer researchers: focus on the
context the cancer cells are in, not just the cells themselves.
2. Assessing the genetic profile of cancer cells to target
diagnoses and treatment plans.
3. A sixteen-year old researcher discusses his invention of
a cheap, efficient diagnostic test for pancreatic cancer
4. A discussion of “proteomics:” the form and function of
proteins in the body and how this can impact future research
5. A look at how to increase the body’s cancer-fighting
potential through the foods that we eat.
6. Encouraging data and information sharing among
researchers in order to improve the outcomes of the research and find a cure.
7. A new treatment for cancer besides surgery, radiation, or
chemotherapy: electric fields. This method may improve quality of life during
treatment.
8. Learn about a contagious cancer that is wiping out the
Tasmanian Devil in Australia, and why it’s important to study it.
9. A look into a future where we might be able to use cancer
as therapy to repair damaged cells in the body.
10. Discover a non-invasive approach to cancer surgery using
ultrasound.
