Cancer Research

How many times do you remember buying something only to later realize that your purchase was probably motivated by a message you saw on television or read elsewhere? Whether we realize it or not, most of us have fallen victim at one time or another to a persistent and effective communication. A few days ago I read a story about a woman battling lung cancer who wondered why, given that lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men (27%) and women (26%), more attention was given to breast cancer which accounted for approximately 14% of cancer deaths. The woman in question felt that as some people consider lung cancer a self-inflicted condition related to smoking, perhaps not aware that there are other causes including the effects of second-hand smoke, they were less likely to be sympathetic to those with the disease. Although that view may have some merit, we cannot overlook the massive and well-organized network associated with breast cancer fund-raising.

Constant and focused communication on any matter can be a very effective way to keep the issue from being forgotten. Consider the ongoing public awareness made concerning the approx. 6 million Jews that were murdered under the Nazi regime. We don’t hear much about the other 6 million that died under Nazi brutality. Notwithstanding that atrocity, between 1958-1969 over 50 million were murdered in the various Chinese and Tibet conflicts. Under Stalin, 7 million died in Russian gulags. Even though incidents of genocide can be found everywhere throughout history, where many millions were murdered, they can be routinely forgotten without outgoing reminders. While the memory of those that were victims to Hitler’s cruelty is kept alive through ongoing messaging, we should not forget man’s inhumanity to man that continues today. Just as the murder of one person is no less significant than another’s, the same must hold true when it comes to addressing a cure for cancer. One deadly cancer is no less important than another.

In response to the woman’s story about her battle against lung cancer and the need for more funding, some people are already pushing to focus more attention on a fund raising strategy that addresses all forms of cancers under one umbrella organization. Perhaps if the same dedication and organization that has made the various “pink” campaigns so effective were directed to an all-inclusive fund-raising program we may be able to achieve a better balance in how cancer research is targeted.