Authors:

I know what cancer was. How is it like humankind?" Sek Hardeen's perfectly modulated, softly accented tones showed a hint of agitation. "We have spread out through the galaxy like cancer cells through a living body, Duré. We multiply without thought to the countless life forms that must die or be pushed aside so that we may breed and flourish. We eradicate competing forms of intelligent life.

Dan Simmons (2014). “The Hyperion Cantos 4-Book Bundle: Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, The Rise of Endymion”, p.1086, Spectra
I know what cancer was. How is it like humankind? Sek Hardeen's perfectly modulated, softly accented tones showed a hint of agitation. We have spread out through the galaxy like cancer cells through a living body, Duré.