# SIO523: What Cancer Actually Is, Part 1 (with Dr. Eric Jaffe)

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/serious-inquiries-only-495493/sio523-what-cancer-actually-is-part-1-with-dr-eric-jaffe.md
Podcast: [Serious Inquiries Only](https://stenobird.com/podcast/serious-inquiries-only-495493)
Published: 2026-07-28T09:53:00+00:00
Episode link: https://seriouspod.libsyn.com/sio523-what-cancer-actually-is-part-1-with-dr-eric-jaffe
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/media.blubrry.com/atheisticallyspeaking/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/seriouspod/Episode_523_Eric_Cancer_1.mp3?dest-id=456804
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/serious-inquiries-only-495493/episodes/sio523-what-cancer-actually-is-part-1-with-dr-eric-jaffe
Duration seconds: 3365

## Resource

Part 1! Dr. Eric Jaffe , the biology teacher who keeps naming proteins after cartoon characters, returns for a two-part cancer deep dive. Today: what cancer actually is at the cellular level, why elephants barely get it, why whales get it even less, and why the "they're hiding the cure" conspiracy falls apart the second you learn who actually funds the research. Mentioned: Peto's paradox HeLa cells The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks XKCD cancer comic Part 2, the cure, is already up for Patreon supporters! Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? Apply here ! Please support the show on Patreon! You get ad-free episodes, early episodes, and other bonus content! https://www.patreon.com/seriouspod

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## Transcript

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