Cancer research - can we do more? If so how?

1. 81

   GmaGoldieposted 13 years ago

   Cancer research - can we do more? If so how?
   
   I struggle with the lack of emphasis placed upon the "the other cancers" - breast cancer has been front and center and I am glad but wondering IF we need a more united front against all cancers. What research foundations would you personally recommend? How can we help as individuals?

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2. 72

   Kris Heeterposted 13 years ago

   This is a wonderful question and as a scientist, I'm glad to see someone has been thinking about this from a philosophical perspective.
   
   Everyone wants to find "a cure for cancer" but quite honestly, it's not as simple as that.  Cancer is not just something that occurs overnight - it's usually the result of several factors going on in the body that can accumulate over time - often over years and sometimes decades.   And then there is a tipping point - some final bodily insult that drives a group of cells that have been damaged over time to become cancerous.
   
   Finding a single cure for any one cancer is tough.   Even within a given cancer type (e.g., breast cancer, there is not just one single thing that "causes" breast cancer.  Breast cancer tumors are very diverse and therefore they have to be seen as a class of diseases, not a single disease  (I've written a hub on this).  The other cancers are going to be like that as well.  For example "skin cancer" is really catch all name for a group of very different cancers (basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, etc.)
   
   There are research groups and foundations that focus putting money into studying what events can lead to cancer, there are groups that study what types of drugs or chemicals can starve or kill off tumors, and then there is research that is focused more on how to prevent cancer in the first place.
   
   I personally recommend a group like the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR.org).  Their research focus is primarily on how to prevent ALL types of cancers.  Very simple lifestyle changes can go a long way to reducing cancer risk. And the education has to start with kids and mothers-to-be.   
   
   The US has the highest rate of most cancers. And, ironically we have the most advanced healthcare system - yet we still have these high cancer rates - that speaks volumes.

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3. 0

   MP50posted 13 years ago

   I think it is to late to prevent any kind of cancer. Considering all the water we drink and the food we eat is covered with toxins being in the soil and coming from the sky above.
   
   Most foods we eat today are forced fed and forced to grow. Tap water is contaminated.
   
   Could this be the reason that scientists are telling us that they are close to developing a cure for cancer?
   
   Prevention is to late? So are the medical world are saying don't worry if you get cancer because soon we can cure it?
   
   Out of every group of people I know someone has some kind of cancer. A lot of young women these days' are experiencing breast cancer under the age of 40.
   
   Prevention is always' better than Cure. How can we prevent Cancer? Constructive answers are welcome.
   
   Kind Regards
   
   MP50.

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