Do you believe in research???????

richedie · Regular Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 10

Hi all!

I ask this becase I know from multiple studies, research that almost 90% of cancer can be prevented with the 'correct' diet and nutrition, but few people know this or follow any of the guidelines. They initially saw this by studying certain populations of the world.

Anyway, my thought turns to research on cures. From knowing people who have worked in the industry or related industries and the fact that we have basically made no strides in the war on cancer in many, many years and the fact that cancer treatment is big business, we will never see a cure. Companies would not risk their profits, hence we see people raising money for bogus research, etc.

Anyone else have a comment or opinion? I hope I am proven wrong and we do see a cure and soon, but I just don't see it happening. It is kind of like the oil industry, they protect their profits.

Thanks.

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 821 Location: UK

There can never be a "cure for cancer" in that there are a vast numbers of cancers and people's responses to the disease and the treatments are extremely varied - as you can see when reading contributions to these forums. Some people do respond well to improved diets, and there are anecdotal statements of tumours in remission following extreme diets, but so far most diets in the end do not "cure".

Personally I feel that if someone wants to follow a diet, that is their affair and no-one else's - but they should remember that it is dangerous and obtrusive to try and force something onto vulnerable people.

The research into medical developments continues steadily and expensively. There have been some amazing advances in the past few years offering future hope for diagnosis, prevention and treatment - more power to their collective elbow. The sooner people stop grousing about the costs, the better.

richedie · Regular Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 10

Nah, what I meant was that research shows they know about 90% of what causes cancers and there is about 10% remaining that is still in the unknown area.
However, you can't control people's lifestyle, and I agree there should be a cure. However, we have made no progress in many years and things continure to
get worse. Anyway, my real problem is when you see containers in stores or people asking for donations. Do you think this ever gets put into 'real' research?
Or, is it bogus?

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 1407

Oh -- I think you are wrong about progress, but the truth is that early detection is the key for a shot at a cure. Breast cancer now has an 85% survival rate and lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for women. Again, it's more about early detection. Each cancer type is so vastly different too -- some are easier to treat and kill on a cellular level and that's why you see improvement with survival stats for some types of cancer vs. other types.

New drugs have been making their way out of the pipeline with regularity too.

Of course cancer is big business for the pharmaceuticals. I think they are working on better treatments because of how the clinical trial system is set up. Most trials do not want patients who have had a lot of prior treatment because the pharma companies want their "new" product to be at the top of the list for first line use if trials are successful. Maybe I'm naive, but so be it.

Very random thoughts.

PBJ
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brainman

richedie, I am not even sure if I agree with the premise of your original statement that "almost 90% of cancer can be prevented with the 'correct' diet". In my on research of major oncology and major medical journals, I have seen very few of those claims. At the most, I have seen where one sentence in a multi page article it is said that diet is important in the SURVIVAL of cancer patients. One resent article did state that some tainted foods with certain pesticide none to be carcinogens might cause "some" cancers. I have not done an extensive search on just that subject but I have not seen one article that is entirely dedicated to discussion of diet preventing cancer. And I have not checked other lesser known journals.
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richedie · Regular Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 10

Hi all! I don't want to argue so what I am really serious about is if you all think these cancer walks, etc are worth the money people donate or is it put to waste??? I don't like to see people put up money on false hope. Sad

Do you think this money is put to good use or do you feel the pharmaceutical companies suppress much of the findings?

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 821 Location: UK

I believe they put it to good use [they are doing the research], but this sort of money is a minute drop in the ocean of necessary funding.

The other side you have to consider is that it allows people to feel that they are contributing something, which is important for their sake.

richedie · Regular Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 10

[quote="Vee Smith"]I believe they put it to good use [they are doing the research], but this sort of money is a minute drop in the ocean of necessary funding.

The other side you have to consider is that it allows people to feel that they are contributing something, which is important for their sake.[/quote]

HOwever, I don't think it is good if people who can not afford to give money are donating only to have it swallowed up by large companies and not put to good use. Maybe I am cinical but I know there is a lot of money in cancer treatment and I can't see companies giving that up too easily.

richedie · Regular Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 10

However, I don't think it is good if people who can not afford to give money are donating only to have it swallowed up by large companies and not put to good use. Maybe I am cinical but I know there is a lot of money in cancer treatment and I can't see companies giving that up too easily.

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 821 Location: UK

If people want to give to good cause, it is their affair. Those who don't want to give have made their own choice. And there is evidence to show that giving lifts people's morale and makes them feel better.

brainman

I do suspect that there are "causes" out there that are rip offs. Ask what percentage of the money raised will actually be used to the intended purpose before getting involved with any fund raising activity. If it is lower than 70-80%, look for another charity where you can donate your money.
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1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
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My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 3: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Rotorhead · Regular Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Hawaii

All-
A good source for checking what percentage of donations goes into admin costs is the annual Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) booklet. It list all registered charities and the percentage of each donation that goes into their overhead (i.e. anything other than their cause). I donate only to those with <10% overhead costs. The ACS is something ridiculous as I recall, like 40% overhead!
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Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 821 Location: UK

For the UK, this is a point to start investigating charities: http://www.guidestar.org.uk/?gclid=CJ-Pg_KSopUCFQpxHgodBnuckA

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