Cancer: Metaphysical Contemplations and Considerations
In the English language the word “cancer”, besides the medical definition, is synonymous with “evil”, “scourge”, “blight” and “corruption”. Although this is not to say that people with cancer are evil (G-d forbid), malignancies come from an evil place. And, since the physical is an expression of the spiritual, they emanate from the dark side of the soul. Moreover, each of the synonyms actually describes the various facets of the character of a malignant tumor. First, being “evil”, the cancer robs the surrounding tissue of oxygen and nutrients while it serves no useful function. Hence it has no consideration for its neighbors and will destroy them to occupy their space as it grows.
Second, a “scourge” is one who sets out with a singular purpose to cause harm and destroy. Such an entity has no mercy or caring for others. It will consume, devour and obliterate everything in its path without hesitation or thought as to the consequences. Thus, the cancer is a scourge because it is a parasite that kills its host, thereby killing itself. Accordingly, the mark of a scourge is to embark on a path of destruction that ultimately leads to self-annihilation like a terrorist suicide bomber.
Third, corruption denotes a part of a whole that is altered from its intended purpose or function in a way that disrupts and destroys, similar to a hard drive that crashes because of a file that was despoiled by a virus or other anomaly. This word also means a loss of integrity whereby an entity no longer fulfils its obligations. Additionally, corruption symbolizes a completely self-serving existence with no regard for the consequences of a breach of trust. These definitions accurately describe the aberrant cancer cells that spin off from