Alec Ross, author of a book called Industries of the Future, writes that, in 20 years, cancer may be curable. We might just be able to “melt it away.”

Frequently, I compare pain to cancer. Believe it or not, pain is far more complex than cancer.

Cancer usually starts from a single DNA mutation. On the other hand, pain may involve multiple mutations that can influence each other and evolve depending on environmental factors.

Cancer involves a physiological process that has been disturbed. Pain involves multiple disturbed processes including cognition, emotions, social interactions, memories and physical stimulus. Genetic mutations that affect the expression and function of each of these areas can affect the dynamic experience of pain.