Cancer cells that are forced to reopen communication with surrounding cells revert to behaving like healthy cells.

All cells behave in their own selfish interests, but the cells in our bodies can communicate with neighbouring cells so closely that a large number of them can share a single sense of “self”. Because they cannot tell themselves apart from their neighbours, they behave as one and act in the best interest of the collective.

When individual cells convert to cancer cells, they close off the communication channels which allow for this shared sense of self. They become isolated and independent, have their own selfish goals to work towards, and see the rest of the body as outside environment.

“A lot of people model cancer cells as being more selfish. They’re not more selfish, they’re equally selfish, it’s just that their self is smaller.”

By manually reopening those communication channels, cancer cells are reconnected to surrounding cells and revert to behaving in the interest of the larger self once more, just as a healthy cell would. Instead of competing with surrounding cells and causing harm, they start helping again by working towards larger goals.