The cancer paradox

We understand only partly what happens, and we do not seem to be able to cure it. There are more than 100 types of cancer, and although there are good numbers for some types, the numbers for heavy ones like lung cancer and breast cancer are not improving. Cancer is moving into first place as the world´s killer. Cancer will increase further relatively speaking up to 2020.

Cancer is basically a genetic disease resulting from genetic mutations. In some cases there are several kinds of mutation in the tumour, making it very difficult to handle. The mutation can also move in unpredictable ways.

For cancer there seems to less transfer of research results into the clinical world. The cost of treatments is also high, prompting speculation that we can not afford to pay in the long run.

The focus on treatment is overdone say many, and we must put more attention on prevention so that the total burden of the illness is reduced. Most mutations are not there when we are born and must be caused by environmental factors. We must focus more on the mechanisms causing cancer.

A Danish investigation of 3 mill. people has shown a clear negative correlation between social class/education and death from cancer. Low social class/bad lifestyle give higher frequency of illness from cancer, worse prognosis and survival.

Another factor seems to be bad genes disposing families to certain kinds of cancer.

So these are two factors – what about the rest?  We have not really started finding the causes!

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