p53: The Gene that Cracked the Cancer Code

Although p53 The Gene That Cracked the Cancer Code by Sue Armstrong conveys the details that led up to a great discovery, the read is intense. This does not detract from Armstrong’s powerful scientific message, nor does it diminish the importance of the book’s inner message. Readers will find they need to pay careful attention to a subject that demands our minds. She attempts playful titles in many of the chapters such as, “The Smoking Gun,” which alludes to tobacco smoking and how its toxins affect the p53 gene. I believe the author is trying to support the research by calling our attention to particular bad habits we display, and how they are connected to Armstrong’s research.

She covers every aspect of cancer development, giving us a sense of how this evasive illness persists, even in the face of modern medicine. Yet, the reader is enlightened by an endless list of properties that the disease carries. It is with hope and hard work that we can look to the future with optimism. As Armstrong paints a picture of hope in the book, she apologizes for the slow progress that medical science makes. With her optimistic outlook, we can sleep better at night knowing that someone’s at the helm.