Sometimes it’s not easy to find good news. That’s why I am happy to share a bit of good news that I recently read in an Economist article called “Winning the War on Cancer.” As we look into the future of cancer research, there is reason to be hopeful.
Let me be clear – this doesn’t take away from the very real pain that cancer brings. Whether you’re currently fighting cancer, you’ve survived it, or you’ve lost someone you love to this disease, your experience matters deeply. I understand this personally. I lost my mom to pancreatic cancer when I was just 18 and she was only 57. I’ve also lost my cousin at just 50 to colon cancer, along with several aunts and uncles. At the same time, I’m blessed to have two siblings who are cancer survivors.
But here’s what gives me hope: things really are getting better, and they have been for decades. And if we insist that winning the war on cancer remains a national priority, progress will keep moving faster in the right direction.
Some of the progress has been spectacular. For example, in the past childhood leukemia left families without hope, but today the five-year survival rate is 90%. In other instances, progress has been slower. Advances in prevention through screening, and in treatments such as surgery and medications have extended life expectancy and contributed toward improved quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. Cutting-edge research is focused on biomarkers, genetics, environmental factors, prophylactic methods and more.
While progress has been made, we still have a long way to go. In America, planned cuts to the National Cancer Institute could curtail some of this progress. However, we have a voice and can/should use it to speak up about anything that we feel will impact us negatively (or positively for that matter). At the same time, the pace of research continues uninterrupted in other countries, so the promise of continued breakthroughs, new treatments and lower costs still exists.
There is always reason to hope. I encourage you to make your voice heard. If you would like to see further advances in cancer research, add your voice here. Your voice makes all the difference.