Fact Check: Is Cancer a Survival Mechanism Trying to Save Life?

An Instagram reel claims that Cancer is Not a Disease but a Survival Mechanism Trying to Save Your Life. The claim by the user is FALSE

Claim

In an Instagram reel, it is claimed that Cancer is Not a Disease but a Survival Mechanism Trying to Save Your Life. The claim by mindhacks5 is said, "Cancer is not a disease, it's a survival mechanism. So cancer is not trying to kill you, cancer is actually trying to save your life. Its creating a tumor, a place for all those toxins to be so that they don't spread to other parts of the body. When you go to a doctor, the first thing they do is say okay, well let's take a biopsy where they prick the tumor and they see if it was cancerous or not। well first of all whether the tumor is cancerous or not, your passive treatment is still the same so you don't actually need; the biopsy. In fact, most people don't actually die from cancer. They die from the treatment of cancer. Yes. And so so when they take that biopsy, remember that it we're dealing with health care, so there's no money to be made off healthy humans. And so when they prick the tumor, they're opening it up and allowing the cancer cells and all the harmful toxins to now spread throughout the body. So now you go from having a tumor on biopsy, they come back, you know, a little bit later and they say, "Okay, well now the cancer spreading all throughout your body." So we're going to have to train uh you know, charge you more money and you're going to have to do more radiation, chemotherapy and all that, etc."

The reel can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim by the user is FALSE. Cancer is a disease and not a survival mechanism.

What is Cancer?

Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells begin to grow uncontrollably and have the ability to spread to other parts of the body. It can develop almost anywhere in the human body, which consists of trillions of cells. Normally, cells grow and divide in a controlled manner to form new cells when the body requires them. When cells become old or damaged, they die, and new cells take their place. However, this orderly process breaks down in cancer, and abnormal or damaged cells grow and divide when they shouldn't.

These abnormal cells may form masses known as tumors, which are lumps of tissue. Tumors can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumors have the potential to invade nearby tissues and spread to distant parts of the body through a process called metastasis, forming new tumors in other organs. Many types of cancer form solid tumors, but some, like leukemias (cancers of the blood), do not form solid masses.

Can Cancer Be Cured?

Cancer cannot truly be cured, but it can go into remission. Remission means that the cancer has responded well to treatment, no further treatment is currently needed, and the signs of cancer have significantly reduced or disappeared. However, it is rare to say that cancer can be cured

American Cancer Society says, "Whether a person’s cancer can be cured depends on the type and stage of the cancer, the type of treatment they can get, and other factors. Some cancers are more likely to be cured than others. But each cancer needs to be treated differently. There isn’t one cure for cancer."

Is Cancer Not a Disease but a Survival Mechanism Trying to Save Your Life?

The claim that cancer is not a disease but a survival mechanism is entirely false. All medical definitions of cancer call it a disease. As per the National Institute of Cancer, "Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body."

WHO also noted, "Cancer is a large group of diseases that can start in almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, go beyond their usual boundaries to invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs. The latter process is called metastasizing and is a major cause of death from cancer. A neoplasm and malignant tumour are other common names for cancer."

The American Cancer Society says, "Cancer is more than just one disease. There are many types of cancer. Cancer can develop anywhere in the body and is named for the part of the body where it started. For instance, breast cancer that starts in the breast is still called breast cancer even if it spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body."

Cancer remains one of the most complex and challenging diseases in medicine. According to an article published in Genes & Diseases, cancer is characterized by disrupted signaling and metabolism, leading to the uncontrolled growth and prolonged survival of transformed cells.

Cancer is not a survival mechanism; it is a life-threatening disease that leads to death. According to the ICMR – National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, cancer accounts for approximately 5,56,400 deaths annually in India.

The claim that cancer is not a disease but rather a survival mechanism attempting to save your life is not supported by scientific evidence or medical consensus. Leading authorities such as the WHO, the American Cancer Society, and the National Cancer Institute, along with research studies, clearly classify cancer as a disease. Therefore, the user’s claim is false.

In a conversation with Medical DIalogues Fact Check Team, Dr. C N Patil, HOD and Lead Consultant - Medical Oncology & Haemato-Oncology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore said, "The claim that 'cancer is not a disease but a survival mechanism trying to save your life' is a controversial idea promoted by some alternative health advocates, notably Andreas Moritz in his book Cancer Is Not a Disease - It's a Survival Mechanism. This perspective suggests that tumors develop as the body's way of coping with underlying toxicity, emotional stress, or metabolic imbalances rather than being a harmful disease in itself. However, this view is not supported by mainstream medical science.

Cancer is, in fact, a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth due to genetic mutations. These mutations can result from various factors, including exposure to carcinogens (such as tobacco smoke, radiation, and certain chemicals), lifestyle choices (like diet and physical activity), and genetic predisposition. When normal regulatory mechanisms in the body fail, cancer cells multiply uncontrollably, forming tumors that can invade nearby tissues and spread to distant parts of the body through metastasis.

The idea that cancer is a survival mechanism comes from observations that some tumors seem to emerge in response to chronic stress or persistent inflammation. For example, wound healing and tissue regeneration share some molecular pathways with cancer development, leading to hypotheses that cancer might have evolved from ancient repair mechanisms. However, just because cancer shares similarities with wound healing does not mean it is a beneficial or protective process. Unlike normal wound healing, cancer cells continue to divide uncontrollably, leading to the destruction of healthy tissue.

Moreover, medical research has shown that cancer, if left untreated, leads to significant harm, including organ failure, pain, and death. While some early-stage cancers can be slow-growing and manageable, many aggressive forms require medical intervention to prevent life-threatening complications. Modern oncology has made significant advancements in understanding cancer biology, leading to targeted treatments, immunotherapies, and precision medicine approaches that improve survival rates.

It is crucial to rely on scientific evidence rather than unverified claims when discussing cancer. The idea that cancer is a survival mechanism may mislead people into avoiding proper medical treatment. While lifestyle changes, stress management, and a healthy diet can support overall well-being and may reduce cancer risk, they are not substitutes for evidence-based cancer treatment.

In conclusion, cancer is a disease caused by genetic mutations leading to uncontrolled cell growth. The claim that it is merely a survival mechanism lacks scientific support and could be dangerous if it leads people to reject necessary medical care."

Dr Sumanth Kumar Mallupattu, Consultant - Medical Oncology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad further explained, “Cancer is a disease caused by genetic mutations that lead to uncontrolled cell growth. While some claim that cancer is a ‘survival mechanism,’ this is a dangerous misinterpretation of science. Left untreated, cancerous cells invade healthy tissues, impair organ function, and can be life-threatening. Early detection is critical because cancers in early stages are often more localized and respond better to treatment, whether it’s surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy. Advanced cancers, on the other hand, become harder to treat and can spread (metastasize) to other organs, reducing survival rates. Misinformation like this can discourage people from seeking timely medical intervention, which can make a crucial difference in their prognosis.”

Does Biopsy Spread Cancer?

While rare cases of cancer cell spread have been documented, they are exceptionally uncommon and do not surpass the significant diagnostic benefits of a biopsy. Therefore, the claim made by the user is FALSE.

Concerns about biopsies potentially spreading cancer have persisted over time, leading to fear and hesitation among some patients. The American Cancer Society noted, "While cancer spread after a biopsy can technically happen, it’s important to remember that it’s extremely rare. The benefits of getting a biopsy far outweigh the minimal risk of cancer spread."

In a review conducted by Dimitrios Volanis et. al., the researchers analyzed prior studies and concluded that the occurrence of needle tract seeding was reported to be below 1%.

Further, a study published in The Cancers reviewed existing research on tumor seeding following breast needle biopsies. Its findings indicated that undergoing a needle biopsy does not significantly influence the risk of breast cancer recurrence, metastasis, or overall survival outcomes.

Hence, the claim by the user is FALSE.

Medical Dialogues Final Take

The claim that cancer is a survival mechanism trying to save your life is not supported by scientific evidence or medical consensus. Cancer is a disease marked by uncontrolled cellular growth that harms the body by damaging tissues, consuming nutrients, and impairing organ function.

Hence, the claim by the user is FALSE.