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Why is it so hard to cure cancer? - Kyuson Yun

  • 3,963,199 Views
  • 14,310 Questions Answered
  • TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

We’ve harnessed electricity, sequenced the human genome, and eradicated smallpox. But after billions of dollars in research, we haven’t found a solution for a disease that affects more than 14 million people and their families at any given time. Why is it so difficult to cure cancer? Kyuson Yun explains the challenges.


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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Kyuson Yun
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Director Outis
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Julianna Zarzycki
    • See more creators
Additional Resources for you to Explore
The following articles further discuss the information presented in this lesson: Addressing intra-tumoral heterogeneity and therapy resistance and Tumor heterogeneity and cancer cell plasticity.

What exactly is cancer immunotherapy? Click here to find out! The National Cancer Institute has information on the topic too.

If you're curious to learn more, TED-Ed also has some additional lessons on cancer:

The cancer gene we all have - Michael Windelspecht

How do cancer cells behave differently from healthy ones? - George Zaidan

How does cancer spread through the body? - Ivan Seah Yu Jun

This TED Talk covers one way to detect cancer, and there are more talks on the subject here: How we’re fighting cancer.

Customize This Lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Kyuson Yun
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Director Outis
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Julianna Zarzycki
    • See more creators

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