Autoimmunity and the risk of cancer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Autoimmunity and the risk of cancer - Essay Example Immunological mechanism refers to the collection of human cells which perform the fundamental function of providing immunity to diseases. The mechanism can be defined as the body’s defence mechanism, as it provides the body with resistance from infection by foreign microbes (Singh et al. 2014). Immunological mechanism can be effectively induced within the human body through vaccination process, which introduces disease resistance cells into the body. The defence mechanisms of the human body possess the capability to adapt and recognise pathogens through a period of time. The capability to adapt leaves an immunological memory following initial detection of pathogens. On the other hand pathogens also have adaptive capabilities which make them difficult to detect. The process of acquired or adaptive immunity has been the basis for development of vaccines, for different pathogens.Cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm caused by uncontrollable division and growth of cells, resulting in malignant tumour which invades nearby body parts. Cancer constitutes of numerous diseases which result in unregulated growth of cells within the human body(Penn 1982). Causes of these diseases remain diverse as the diseases with few being understood by medical practitioners. Many factors have been identified as increasing the risk for cancer development, including tobacco use, exposure to radiation, genetic factors, and infections, among many others. The characteristic presence of cancer involves damage to genes.