Well done Rosie for uploading this moving video and making a donation. As we live longer, and treatment of common conditions like heart attacks improves, the number of cancer sufferers will carry on increasing ( see http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....voiding-cancer ).
The outlook for many cancer patients is much better these days. Breast and bowel cancer are examples where early diagnosis, helped by screening, and better treatment have improved things. Others have shown little progress – lung being a common example here and in the Philippines ; stomach and liver being commoner in the Philippines. More research is needed. If all research was halted, and we could afford to apply all we know there would be fewer cancers worldwide, and best treatment would ensure better outlooks.
It’s not just “ lifestyle choices “ ( stopping smoking, eating less, exercising more ) but also earlier diagnosis ( screening ) and prevention ( hepatitis B and HPV vaccines ). Genetic screening raises hope for prevention and treatment in the next few years.
Cancer is – understandably – an emotive subject. It kills relatively more young people in the Philippines than the UK. But there are other serious conditions which can be cured ( malaria, TB, other infections ), treated ( AIDS ), or are not yet treatable ( Alzheimer’s ). These afflict very many people worldwide, especially sad if it’s children. Cardiovascular disease kills more people than any other. They all need resources.
As individuals we want the best for our own, and ourselves. In the UK there’s an outcry when NICE decides that a particular treatment ( often for terminal cancer ) is too expensive. Difficult questions arise – how much can we afford ; how much can governments afford ; which charities to support ? About half of all donations go to a minority of the thousands of charities worldwide - those who campaign the most effectively. Donating to bona fide cancer charities is never a waste. So many others also need resources to improve quality and save lives.
