By Samuel Pimping
Everyone has pondered the question: will we ever find the cure to cancer? Why is the disease still incurable despite countless medical and technological advancements?
As the second leading cause of death worldwide, ten million people die annually from cancer. It is the root of every sixth fatality. Billions of dollars have always been poured into cancer research globally, and the sheer amount of effort and resources expended have provoked us to think about what we have actually gained and how much closer we are to finding the solution.
It is reasonable to wonder why a cure has not been found yet, but there exists a widespread notion that a cure is deliberately being hidden by powerful organizations to maximize future profit. This is a stubborn conspiracy theory without any logical backing, and yet, over 25% of Americans believed in this misconception.
“Why is there no cure for cancer?” So, what would explain the absence of a cure? The answer is simply because cancer is an extremely complex disease. It is not a single illness. When we say “cancer,” we refer to over 200 diverse types depending on the point of origin such as liver, lung, or breast cancer, to name a few. Each type has further multiple subtypes, and they are all strictly segregated as they vary on a molecular level.
Mutations (random changes in genetic structure) complicate treatment even more. When two persons have the same type of cancer, a different set of mutations would make it so that a cure working for one of them might have absolutely no positive effect on the other. Plus, even if a treatment is effective for someone, it will stop working once the cells mutate and develop resistance. “The cure” does not exist because even if one is found in the future, it would likely be a single, temporary remedy to a specific kind only.
“Is there progress in cancer research?” Nevertheless, in terms of cancer survival rates, society has made decades of significant progress. The efficacy of treatments and therapy have improved throughout the years even without a cure. Age-standardized cancer death rates across the world have fallen by over 15% since 1990.
Today, early stages of certain cancers including breast, prostate, and testicular cancer, are highly treatable with a five-year survival rate of practically 99% (people who have survived five years since diagnosis). The statistic is from the American Cancer Society, a trusted international organization. In contrast, the most dangerous cancers that remain resistant to treatment include pancreatic cancer with a five-year survival rate of only 11.5%, mesothelioma with 12%, gallbladder cancer with 19.4%, and lung cancer with 22.9%.
The most common types of cancer treatment are currently chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and tumor surgery. How close are we to finding ways that completely cure certain cancers instead of only resorting to the aforementioned options? Given our current knowledge of cancer and its complex diversity, it appears we may never find an absolute cure.
That said, the bulk of research is focused on where it matters: prevention, detection, and treatment. The greatest progress lies in prevention as we now know much more about the environmental factors that cause cancer such as smoking, excessive sun exposure, obesity, alcohol abuse, and HPV. With people taking stricter measures against these causes, the risks are better mitigated.
Detection is also key in improving survival rates because the earlier the cancer is identified, the more favorable the prognosis. Multiple tests are still required to diagnose cancer including lab tests, imaging tests, biopsies, and others. In the Philippines and other third-world countries, mere detection is a barrier due to the financial constraints of these numerous, costly examinations.
For more convenient and swifter diagnosis, multi-cancer early detection (MCED) through blood testing is currently being looked into. Imagine possibly getting a confirmation for the absence or existence of certain types of cancer in your body with a simple blood test. This is a promising method and will cause a major shift in the industry once it becomes feasible for global implementation. Experts are careful so as to ensure accuracy and prevent false positives from occurring.
Lastly, a notable breakthrough in treatment is immunotherapy—a program in which medical aids make the immune system more robust in combating cancer. It can stand as another alternative apart from chemo and radiation.
“How well is cancer treatment in the PH?” In the Philippines, cancer is usually diagnosed during the more advanced stages. Aside from lack of finances (as insurance is generally not the norm in third-world countries), the very fear of diagnosis and the perceived shame of being deemed a burden on one’s family are two significant factors that hinder early diagnosis.
A lack of medicinal literacy also adds to the mix. In a study at the Cancer Institute of the Philippine General Hospital, approximately 25% expressed their exclusive reliance on herbal and dietary supplements only—inappropriately replacing modern medical intervention with traditional medicines that are objectively not as effective.
To enhance countrywide cancer care, the government enacted the Universal Health Care Act and the National Integrated Cancer Control Act. The latter establishes the Philippine Cancer Center and Regional Cancer Centers along with cancer assistance funds and support for more awareness campaigns. Of course, the greatest issue is proper implementation as local public healthcare is notorious for being inconsistently upheld across the nation.
“What are the ways to prevent cancer?” Indeed, prevention is better than cure, especially considering the fact that there is no cure for this timeless disease. Religiously avoiding key risk factors is crucial in mitigating cancer risk not only for yourself but also for your immediate family and the people constantly around you.
Again and again, smoking has been proven to be the culprit behind lung cancer. Secondhand smoke is even more dangerous to the health of those who come in contact—usually household members including parents, spouses, and children. Steering clear of tobacco is the best thing to do for the sake of one’s family.
A healthy diet and regular physical activity reduce not only cancer risk but also heart risk as well. In a tropical climate, using skin protection such as sunscreen (at least SPF-30) and limiting exposure on sunny days is critical in preventing skin cancer. Vaccination and regulating risky sexual behavior through protection and safety is key in preventing HPV and cancers involving the nether regions.
Lastly, for as long as you can afford it, regular testing for cancers is greatly helpful in early diagnosis and treating a problem as soon as possible. Even if you engage in all modes of prevention, many cancer types occur due to either genetic predisposition or spontaneous mutation. In other words, not all cancers are directly caused by the environment, and some may simply occur as a matter of chance.
Regardless of the lack of a cure—or perhaps because of it—your lifestyle is vital in preventing a health problem from growing any further or even starting. This National Cancer Awareness Month, we set realistic expectations for the future of medical science, and at the same time, remain optimistic and informed as to the promise of greater breakthroughs in the future.
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