We Need a New War on Cancer

We Need a New War on Cancer?

Perhaps what we need is a Principle-Based Science of Medicine.

This article is the perfect example why.

The good doctor knew an old rule that Grapefruit juice was known to help enhance the benefits of other cures. In this he followed the old tradition established in the Arab Empire by Ibn Sina (later known as Avicenna) a genius, better known for his philosophical writings, later used by Medieval philosophers Rabbi Moses Maimonides and Monk Thomas Aquinas.

But, his medical book (really an Encyclopedia) was the Standard Book of Medicine, like "Gray's Anatomy" but for 500 years (1100-1600)in all the schools of Medicine, which they established in Europe and the Arab Empire. Not even Newton's Principia lasted half the life of this book.

The rules, like the rules the good part of Grapefruit juice has

1. The juice enhances the benefits.

2. It has a short life outside the freezer.

The truth is nobody predicted Grapefruit juice had the "good" part or explained why no other fruit has the same chemical Rapamycin or what other chemical would have the same benefit or why.

The potential of DNA will remain limited to lots of "Trials" with lots of "Errors" which may even require the ultimate sacrifice of some volunteers to find the "Good" drug segments.

But, this has a huge obstacle, how many volunteers must pay the ultimate sacrifice to make progress in the art of medicine?

As many as were used in Syphilis Experiment in Tuskeegee?

Or, more than Hitler used in his Medical experiments with prisoners?

Where are the Medical Ethical Principles in all this? Is there a solution, a way out?

Does the "End Justify the Means", all over again?

I shall continue reading about your good work in the newspaper.

I am not now and have never been an student or a doctor of medicine. Keep up the Good work!

Michael F. Sarabia of CA @ Aug 09, 2009 22:42:49 PM

"Tumor genes and cancer stem cells..."

There are no such things as "tumor genes and cancer stem cells." All cancers come from a primordial random error in a cell division and survival that subsequently evolves differently in each cancer.

Spouting off such glamorous cliches are no more than giving new names to the same worn out approaches that are keeping a giant non-productive industry busy and employed.

New ideas have no hope of funding in today's so called money distribution system called "peer review" who like Congress being their own "peers" simply vote themselves higher pay raises. There will be no new war on cancer until the entire system is radically overhauled.

Harley of TX @ Aug 27, 2008 23:16:13 PM

LYNCH SYNDROME

I'M A THREE TIME SURVIVOR OF COLON AND LIVER CANCER.I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH COLON CANCER IN 1997 AT THE AGE OF 55YRS. I RECEIVED CHEMO FOR 7 MONTHS. I HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR CANCER EVERY 6 MONTHS SINCE. LIVER MET WAS DISCOVERED IN 1999 AND A SINGLE TUMOR WAS FOUND .I WAS OPERATED ON AT SKMH IN NYC. NO CHEMO. NEW CANCER OF COLON IN 2007 WAS FOUND . OPERATED IN SKMH IN NYC. NO CHEMO. THANKS TO MY PHYSICAN'S I'M CHECKED EVERY 6 MONTHS WITH PET AND CAT SCANS ,CEA. I SUGGEST EVERY PERSON NEEDS TO BE PROACTIVE IN THEIR HEALTH CARE.THANKS TO THE COMPUTER, I LEARNED ABOUT LYNCH SYNDROME THEN TOOK THE NEXT STEP TO BE TESTED FOR THE GENE.

MURIEL NASH of FL @ Jun 23, 2008 10:31:32 AM

Alternative cancer treatments

I am a cancer survivor and I declined most traditional treatments. 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with 3 cancerous lumps in my breast. Course of treatment was to be, mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation followed up with one of the new drugs that are suppose to prevent breast cancer.

I watched a sister in law and an aunt die of cancer. They took all the treatments that were recommended. They died slow, painful miserable deaths. I truly believe that it was the barbaric chemo that killed them.

I use alternatives to help keep the cancer away. I will never donate money to the traditional cancer causes because they have too much to lose by finding a cure for cancer. If a group starts that asks for donations that want to explore more than the current cut, poison and burn treatments I am all for it.

I do believe we need more education on how to prevent cancer and we need trials on natural treatments not orchestrated by the drug companies that have too much to lose by natural cures.

I do hope this new war on cancer is not just the same old war that netted nothing.

R Wardlaw of AZ @ Jun 18, 2008 15:59:25 PM

Pesticides

We need MORE pesticides. Haven't you heard the latest data on the consumption of fruits and vegetables? 5 serviings per day to keep away disease.

What do you think is on all of those fruits and vegetables when we eat them? Do you really think that every single person is adequately washing away the pesticides on their fruits and vegetables?

What good would a pesticide be if it simply washed off after a quick rain shower.

Jimmy

Jimmy of IL @ Jun 18, 2008 11:34:27 AM

Effective screening for only four or five cancers?

All it would have taken to detect my case of chronic myelogenous leukemia would have been one simple, common blood test--a CBC/D--that costs about $50, administered anytime in the 12-36 months before I developed symptoms. During that time, I had routine physicals, but no such test was done. Why? Because it's not an approved part of normal physical exams. Never mind that it's a cheap test. Never mind that it tells you a lot about the patient, not just about whether or not the patient has leukemia. Never mind that such a test would have avoided $14,000 in hospital costs. It's not part of the normal physical exam procedure, so most doctors don't do it.

Until we are willing to actually use the tools we have, what good will further research do?

Robert Bethune of MI @ Jun 16, 2008 22:12:56 PM

War on Cancer....

Hmmmmm.... a "War on Cancer" .....

I know! Let's start with:

eliminating chemical fertilizers and pesticides...... then microwave (cell phone towers) transmissions...... oh yes, CO2 automobile exhaust emissions..... and breast cancer in women by requiring those bathing suit tops to prevent 'indecency'..... and the arsenal of chemical substances used to 'clean' out home and our pets, bleach for our clothing... chemicals to clean our carpets, our linoleum, chemical deodorants, chemical hair conditioners, chemical-base cosmetics, industrial pollution, 'teflon' (a fluorocarbon polymer) coming off our cooking utensils and going into our food, microwave ovens (everybody has at least one!), chemical medications, chlorine in our drinking water, chemical food-additives, etc., etc....

Gee, its a miracle that we are still alive!

We don't need a "War on Cancer" ... we need a war on stupid.

John Charles Webb, Jr. of HI @ Jun 16, 2008 11:11:15 AM

War on Cancer????

if Cancer funding and Heart funding were given just 10% of the trillion dollars given to that homosexual Disease of HIV Nvirus , cancer and Heart Disease would be GONE.

Jack Angelo Territo of NY @ Jun 13, 2008 18:03:12 PM