Re: Cancer Research
by Serpent on November 4th, 2018, 10:57 am
Cancer is not a single, coherent pathological entity: it has diverse causative agents and contributing factors; it has many variations and manifestations; it presents and progresses differently in each organ, affects each type of cell differently. There is also the problem of environmental particulates and toxins and the increase of geriatric cancers as life expectancy rises and the population ages. What I mean is, cancer is complicated.
Until the mid 20th century, more than half of the now-known cancers were not even identified. Only as diagnostic tools improve, as more is known and documented, as data are accumulated and shared, does it become possible to work on causes, treatments and cures.
In fact, a great deal of work has already been done; a great deal of progress has already been made; a great deal of success has already been achieved.
From 1966, when I first went to work in a hospital laboratory to 2014, when I got my 5-year discharge from one of the deadliest forms of cancer, mortality has declined, overall, about 25% - the survival rate is much higher in the more accessible cancers like breast and prostate; significant in colorectal and ovarian; still very low in stomach, pancreatic and brain tumours, which do not present early symptoms; nearly 100% in skin cancers; still struggling with lung - but the rates have dropped dramatically as people stop smoking and working conditions improve in factories and mines.
More funding is always helpful, of course, because those tools are expensive, but the best defense is an aware population and a good comprehensive health care system that supports prevention and early diagnosis.
BTW Expect to see a sharp rise in breast, ovarian and cervical cancers as conservative governments shut down women's health centers and screening programs, and allows employers to opt out of health insurance that covers reproductive care.