The C-word, Seafood Delicacies, and Constellations

The C-word (cancer) scares the hell out of us. A patent will plead, not wanting to utter this horrible word, “Please don’t tell me I have the C-word.” As a word, it is interesting. As a disease, cancer is frightening and formidable. Yet, it is highly interesting to study, to treat, and to hopefully conquer. A chief resident during my surgical training would refer to cancer as crab. On rounds he would refer to Mrs. So and So having a…

Apoptosis–Falling Leaves in Autumn

I loved the word APOPTOSIS when I first heard it applied to cancer treatment. It was the aPOPtosis pronunciation that caught my attention as I imagined cancer cells exploding from chemotherapy and champagne corks aPOPing in celebration. I was so wrong. I still love the word, but its meaning is far less dramatic than I initially thought. Its Greek origin is obvious, but the proper pronunciation erases its onomatopoetic oomph. If the second “p” is silent, as it should be, then…