The relentless pursuit of cancer cures has galvanized a global army of volunteers raising funds, while hundreds of thousands more engage in caregiving, drug development, and research. Major pharmaceutical companies invest heavily in the quest to understand and defeat cancer. Despite the billions poured into research, what have we truly learned about cancer, and how far have we come in treating it?
Cancer research has made significant strides since the mid-20th century when scientists began identifying substances that could kill cancer cells in vitro or in mice. These early victories in chemotherapy were widely publicized, despite benefiting a small fraction of cancer cases. The allure of finding a universal "magic bullet" cure for cancer has been a driving force in research, echoing the aspirational success of drugs like aspirin. However, the reality is that breakthroughs often pertain to only a subset of cancers, and the media's portrayal can inflate expectations.
In the 1950s and 60s, extensive projects tested numerous substances for their impact on cancer cells. Notable discoveries include the Madagascar Periwinkle, which yielded alkaloids used in chemotherapy, and the Pacific Yew tree, from which Taxol, a treatment for ovarian and breast cancer, was derived. Jonathan Hartwell's "Plants Used Against Cancer" lists over 3,000 plants with potential anti-cancer properties, half of which have shown efficacy in laboratory settings. These plants are often the starting point for synthetic drugs, where active compounds are isolated, modified, and patented before undergoing rigorous testing and approval processes, which can cost upwards of $500 million (PhRMA).
Research continues to delve into the fundamental differences between normal and cancerous cells, revealing much about human biology but still falling short of a cure. Here are some of the promising research avenues:
The CVC is a notable initiative involving several medical centers in New York and Minnesota, aiming to revolutionize cancer vaccine development through collaborative action research. This program reflects a broader trend towards immunization strategies against cancer.
Immunotherapy, including the use of donor blood and genetically engineered Killer T cells, is an emerging field showing promise in treating certain cancers. However, the complexity of tissue types and the potential for secondary diseases pose challenges that require further research to ensure safety and efficacy.
Genetic screening to identify high-risk individuals is an important step towards targeted prevention and vaccine development. Genetic counseling is becoming increasingly relevant in 21st-century healthcare, emphasizing disease prevention as much as cure.
Research suggests that cancer has multiple causes, including environmental, psychological, and spiritual factors. This supports the holistic view that treatment should be multifaceted and personalized, rather than relying on a single solution.
Dr. Robert Buckman, an experienced cancer researcher and author, emphasizes the complexity of cancer in humans compared to laboratory systems. Despite the vast array of testing methods and knowledge about cancer cells, translating this into effective human treatments remains a formidable challenge.
In conclusion, while cancer research has made remarkable progress in understanding the disease, the path to a cure is intricate and multifaceted. The industry continues to explore new therapies, with the hope that each discovery brings us closer to turning the tide against cancer.
The Ancient Pathways of Cornwall
The Saint's Way in Cornwall is a story written into the land. This ancient route existed long before it was used by saints, taking advantage of the unique shape of Cornwall and its rivers. Evidence (especially Pictish Art forms) suggest that Phoenicians, Egyptians and Greeks journeyed to west coasts of Britain and Ireland even before the Iron Age, in search of Keltic wisdom and trade. They would hit Cornwall and Southern Ireland first.
The Lily
This land is my memories. For two thousand years this valley has been mine alone. I know every rock, every stream and every tree. I know the forces that shape this land and the people who inhabit it.
Orthodox cancer treatment
Diagnosis is a strength of Western scientific medicine because of its dependence on analytical procedures and processes of elimination. Modern technology has given us many ways to see into the body for effective diagnosis of dis-ease. Nowhere is scientific Western medicine so advanced than in the fields of diagnosis. Although the philosophy of Western medicine often comes in for criticism, modern science has produced many ways in which we can examine and image organisms internally and take samples of tissue in hard to reach places.
