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From: chrz@ihuxe.UUCP (p. chrzanowski)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: cancer
Message-ID: <1204@ihuxe.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 29-Jul-85 16:21:35 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxe.1204
Posted: Mon Jul 29 16:21:35 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 31-Jul-85 03:19:20 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 19

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I watched CBS sunday morning news (July 29).  Yet another story
about Reagan's cancer, and cancer in general.  "A diagnosis of cancer
is no longer a death sentance."  "More people survive cancer than
used to."  "Cancer researchers see possible breakthroughs just
ahead."
	Why does every cancer story try so hard to be upbeat?
The three statements above are true, but...
While there have been dramatic improvements in treating some types
of cancer, overall 5 year survival rates are not much better today
than they were 30 years ago -- presumably because most of the
improvements have been in treating the less common types of cancer.
In the absence of definitive theories, more money for cancer research
doesn't necessarily produce more results.
	Certainly any improvements in cancer treatment are to be
welcomed, and certainly many are cured; still, having lived with
cancer for three years now, I find the view through rose-colored
glasses is neither comforting nor honest.