Cancer 101: Let there be blood – how cancer grows its own supply lines

In 10 seconds? In our Cancer 101 series so far, we’ve talked about how cancer uses devious tactics like mutation, avoiding death, enabling immortality, and continuous growth to carry out its anarchist agenda. But how does cancer get its life force? By sprouting its own blood vessels.

Wait! Why does cancer need blood vessels? Our blood is what delivers oxygen and food to all the cells in our body. Blood vessels (AKA veins and arteries) are woven throughout all of our bodily tissues to give cells access to these vital life sources. Without them, cells cannot survive, let alone continue to grow.