Astrophysicist Discovers Her Own Cancer
Dr. Becky Smethurst, an astrophysicist from Oxford University, faced a life-altering moment not in the depths of space, but in a routine self-examination. At 30-something, while otherwise healthy and fit, she discovered a small dimple on her left breast. This discovery led to a breast cancer diagnosis, a stark reminder that serious health issues can affect anyone, regardless of their lifestyle.
Navigating a Cancer Diagnosis
Receiving a cancer diagnosis can feel like the world is falling apart. Thoughts like “What did I do?” often follow, reflecting a common human desire to find a reason or cause. Dr. Smethurst’s experience highlights the emotional and psychological impact of such news.
In the face of serious illness, misinformation can be a dangerous obstacle. Dr. Smethurst addresses the allure of alternative health advice, particularly from those who suggest skipping conventional medical treatments in favor of “living healthy” or “living naturally.” She offers a strong caution against this approach, describing it as a gamble. “You’re gambling,” she states, “but the gamble might not pay off. And the thing is, you only hear from the people that the gamble pays off for.” This emphasizes the importance of evidence-based medicine and consulting healthcare professionals.
A Passion for the Cosmos
Beyond her personal health journey, Dr. Smethurst is a renowned astrophysicist who specializes in black holes. She also shares her passion for space, planets, stars, galaxies, and the possibility of alien life with a vast audience on YouTube, where she has nearly a million subscribers. Her ability to explain complex cosmic phenomena in an accessible way has made her a popular science communicator.
Dr. Smethurst’s fascination with space began in childhood. Like many millennials, she was drawn to the mysteries of the unexplored, whether it was the deep ocean or the vastness of space. She describes herself as a “why child,” constantly asking questions, a trait that is a hallmark of scientific curiosity. This innate drive to understand the unknown propelled her through her education and into a career researching the universe’s most enigmatic objects.
The Path to Astrophysics
Her journey into astrophysics wasn’t a straight line. Initially, she loved space and considered marine biology, drawn to the mystery of the unknown. As she progressed through school, she gravitated towards physics. A pivotal moment occurred when she asked a question in a physics class that her teacher couldn’t answer, revealing that there were still fundamental questions about the universe that scientists were actively trying to solve. This realization opened her eyes to the possibility of a career in research, pursuing astrophysics at university.
The idea of a career in astrophysics didn’t initially cause hesitation, despite the uncertainty of specific job outcomes. A careers advisor informed her that a physics degree is essentially a problem-solving degree, applicable to a wide range of fields, including finance, banking, and visual effects. This broad applicability reassured her that her passion for physics would lead to a fulfilling career.
Astrophysics vs. Rocket Science
Dr. Smethurst clarifies the distinction between an astrophysicist and a rocket scientist. A rocket scientist focuses on the practical engineering of getting objects into space and back, dealing with orbital mechanics and gravity. Astrophysicists, on the other hand, are broadly categorized into three types:
- Theorists: Develop and use mathematical equations to understand cosmic phenomena, like the conditions inside stars.
- Simulators: Use computers to run complex models based on theoretical equations to see what they predict about the universe.
- Observational Astrophysicists: Use telescopes to gather data from the universe and interpret what that data reveals about celestial objects and events.
Dr. Smethurst identifies as an observational astrophysicist.
The Scientific Method in Space and Medicine
A unique aspect of astrophysics, Dr. Smethurst notes, is the challenge of direct experimentation. Unlike many scientific fields where experiments can be repeated countless times, astrophysicists often study unique celestial events or objects. They overcome this by observing similar objects or phenomena repeatedly to build a comprehensive understanding, akin to how medical researchers conduct cohort studies, observing groups of people over time to identify patterns.
This observational approach is similar to how medical science progresses when direct experimentation isn’t feasible or ethical. For instance, researchers cannot ethically induce a disease in humans to study it. Instead, they observe natural occurrences and gather data over extended periods. In astrophysics, telescopes act as time machines. By observing light from distant galaxies, scientists are seeing those galaxies as they were billions of years ago, allowing them to study the evolution of the universe from its early stages to the present.
Understanding the Universe Through Observation
Dr. Smethurst describes how observing distant galaxies provides a window into the past. Light travels at a finite speed, so the further away an object is, the longer its light takes to reach us. This means that when we look at galaxies billions of light-years away, we are seeing them as they existed billions of years ago. This allows astrophysicists to witness the evolution of galaxies, from their “baby” stages to their current forms.
The process of scientific discovery in astrophysics involves constantly questioning and refining theories. Dr. Smethurst explains that when researchers find something that doesn’t fit existing models, it’s not seen as a failure but as an opportunity to learn and improve our understanding. This contrasts with the spread of misinformation, where people often seek to confirm existing beliefs rather than challenge them. For example, headlines might declare “The Big Bang Theory is wrong,” but for astrophysicists, this is a natural part of scientific progress. Theories are refined as new evidence emerges, especially with advancements in telescope technology that allow for new observations.
The Colors of the Stars
Dr. Smethurst shares a childhood memory of observing the constellation Orion. She noticed that one of Orion’s feet, Rigel, appeared blue, while another star, Betelgeuse, appeared red. This observation, made at age 10, sparked her curiosity about why stars have different colors. She learned that blue stars are physically hotter and more massive than red stars, which are cooler and nearing the end of their lives. This is contrary to common experience, where red is often associated with heat (like a hot tap) and blue with cold.
She explains that the color of a star relates to its surface temperature and the spectrum of light it emits. Hotter objects, like a blue flame on a gas stove or a blue star, emit light at higher frequencies and energies. Cooler objects, like dying embers or a red giant star, emit light at lower frequencies and energies. The sun, like Betelgeuse, will eventually expand into a red giant as it runs out of fuel, a process that will occur in about 5 billion years.
The Emotional Impact of Discovery
Using professional telescopes, like the Isaac Newton telescope in the Canary Islands, is an emotional experience for Dr. Smethurst. She recalls the first time she used such a telescope during her PhD, observing galaxies with supermassive black holes. The process involves long exposure times to capture faint light. When the first image of a distant galaxy appeared on the screen after a 20-minute exposure, resolving from a small smudge into a detailed spiral shape, she was overwhelmed.
Seeing an image that resembled iconic Hubble Space Telescope photos, which she had grown up admiring, made her feel like a true astrophysicist. She notes that while the raw images are black and white, color is added later by using filters that capture different wavelengths of light, combining them to create vibrant, colorful images. However, the raw data, like spectra which show the intensity of light at different wavelengths, can look like TV static to the untrained eye, making it difficult for non-scientists to appreciate the scientific significance.
The Search for Life Beyond Earth
Dr. Smethurst’s work, while focused on astrophysics, touches on fundamental questions about our place in the universe. She acknowledges the work of exoplanet researchers who search for planets around other stars. The methods used, such as detecting dips in a star’s brightness as a planet passes in front of it, are fascinating.
When asked if she believes there is life on other planets, Dr. Smethurst expresses a strong conviction: “I think there kind of has to be somewhere has to be.” Given the immense size and age of the universe, with billions of stars and potentially trillions of planets, it seems statistically probable that life exists elsewhere.
Key Health Takeaways
- Self-Exams are Crucial: Regularly checking your body for any unusual changes, like a dimple on the breast, can lead to early detection of serious conditions.
- Trust Medical Professionals: Be wary of advice that suggests skipping conventional medical treatments. Conventional treatments are based on scientific evidence and are designed to be effective.
- Misinformation is Risky: Alternative health advice that promises cures without scientific backing can be a dangerous gamble with your health. Always consult your doctor for medical concerns.
- Curiosity Drives Discovery: Whether in science or health, maintaining a curious mindset and asking questions is vital for learning and staying informed.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
Source: The Astrophysicist Who Caught Her Own Cancer | Dr. Becky Smethurst (YouTube)
