We Are Winning The War on Cancer - Essay Example

? Number] We are winning the war on Cancer Each and every day world experiences death of several individuals due to various diseases. Most of the death cases are even shocking to hear, as newly discovered viruses and bacteria’s are found in many cases. Cancer is one of the oldest diseases in the league of killing human lives. Cancer has been the reason of death of enormous human beings especially above the age of 40. It has been the causes of various innocent lives around the globe. Its effect on the human body is outrageous and the whole human mechanism is paralyzed due to this devastating illness. Doctors and Researchers are yet in the process to find a proper cure for this terrible disease and the developments done so far clearly depicted that yes, we are winning the war on cancer (DeVita and Steven 2213). Cancer is basically the result of deformation of human body cells. The structural DNA of the body is disturbed through this mechanism. Various awareness campaigns started around the globe so that people would get conscious of this severe illness and make precautionary measures. In the year 1971, U.S President Nixon announced war against cancer. The purpose of this statement was to awake acknowledge people that not to lose hope and be self determined. After President’s statement, medical world researched a lot to cure cancer. Interesting research findings came out which were commendable. New methodologies were brought up which showed promise in curing the disease. Medical Doctors and Research Analysts work in this war against cancer is appreciable as many healing medicines were being made. The process of curing the disease is long and expensive but still there is a hope of life in it (Antin 14). The Cancer Act Throughout the world Cancer makes headlines and it is a dilemma of human race that still not a proper long lasting solution has been brought up. The procedure of eliminating cancer from the body is long and disturbing. A person with a strong nerves and soul can face this curing process actively. In order to declare it a common problem of the human beings of the world, a national caner act in the year 1971 came out from USA. The purpose of this act was to assure that this is a common problem which world is facing, and by joining hands we can sort out this matter. Public health service was the main agenda of the U.S Government as casualties due to this disease were increasing every day (Thomas and Frieden 1307). The act strengthened the roots of National Cancer Institute, which was in a continuous process of development and research to heal cancer. A huge amount of funding was also supplied to the institute so that there would be no problem in the research and no area would be left. The Institute carried out different research work to make sure that they find the right medicine for this disease (Varmus 475). In the recent years, it was observed that people have lost focus on cancer. To get aware about this severe disease, a new motivational campaign started in 2008 by the U.S government so that people would be concerned about it. “Cancer: Challenges and Opportunities in the 21st Century”- a series of debate started by the U.S Senate Committee of Health. The agenda was to let people know about the survivors of this disease. Interviews of recoveries, mostly people with fame were showed. Lance Armstrong, a famous cyclist had cancer and how he defeated cancer with courage and bravery was shown (Jones & Scott 190) Progress & Development (Whelan 9) Throughout the years, there has been a massive progress in defeating cancer. Many motivated and brave individuals have showed courage and power to overcome this disease. The point to be noted is that since 1950 till 2005, only 5 percent reduction in cancer annual death rate was seen. Although government funded the cancer program a lot and on ground commendable results were observed. As many new types of cancer invasion in the human body were previously incurable but now most of the cancers are curable. In the year 2010, cancer was the main reason of death of most of the people. The reduction in cancer mortality is however seen in many cases around the globe, hence depicting a major progress in this sector. The developmental steps are also being taken in order to produce new effective and sharp medicine to cure this disease. Some reports show that since 1970, there has been a lot of improvement in curing the cancer disease (Munita and Barabara 3) Statistics and Findings The results obtained in the statistical findings are a bit satisfying but still a lot needs to be done in this sector. The age bracket of cancer cure has been changed in the recent studies. The studies done show that mortality rate decline can be seen in the young age, the stats reported were 25.9% to be exact. In old age the 6.8% decline was seen. The study took place in 2009. This shows that young mortality rate reduction is quite progressive but the statistics of old age is not very pleasing. The factors involved in this factual information can be that mostly young blood is more enthusiastic, motivated and courageous to overcome this disease. They are more determined and focus as they people to explore more endeavours in life. On the other hand old age people have no motivational factor and the only thing in their mind is just to live for other few days. Self determination is the name of the game against this cancer war (Murthy, 1073). Diagnosis phase of cancer is a process in which radiation, surgery and chemotherapy takes place. According to the reports presented by the National Cancer Institute, 50% of the cancer cases are being handled and cured through this mechanism of diagnosis. Further reports show that from the year 1991 till 2006, around 15.6% reduction in cancer deaths was seen. It was not a very satisfying figure but still was better than before. The worst years of reduction were from 1999 till 2006 in which only 1% reduction was seen. This was a very devastating picture. Smoking remained the main cause of death and the cancer due to smoking was not even incurable. In the recent years, through new medical research and expansion, smoking cessation was decreased with the efforts at both ends. Patients were also energetic and motivated to end this horrible disease from their life (Davis 184). The reports of American Cancer Society on cancer cure statistics were not very pleasing. The figures showed that only 0.5 reduction of cancer in females was seen in the years 1998 till 2006. In men however 1.3% reduction was observed from 1999 till 2006. The report was published in 2010. Men decrease rate was slightly high due to research and development in lungs, colorectum and prostate cancers. Women cancer rate reduction was mostly due to breast and colorectum cancer overcome. The cancer death rate reduction in overall men ranging from the year 1990 till 2006 was reported 21% which was quite appealing. The cancer death rates in overall women also decreased to 12% in these years (Antin 12). The reduction in cancer death rates was an achievement indeed as many casualties took place due to this horrible disease. The percentages when converted into figures show that 767,000 people were able to survive from cancer in this 16 years span from 1990 till 2006. Cancer still is a big threat and takes more human lives than heart diseases. Aged men and women, till the age of 85 have been facing cancer problem more than any other disease. The improvement in the survivors of cancer was seen more in the year 2011. Approximately 11.7 million people were able to recover from cancer (Vogelstein and Kenneth 136) This shows a progress of 19% as in the year 2007, it was reported that 9.8 million survivors recovered from cancer. This shows a massive improvement in this sector as the figures of 1970 were horrible. Only 3 million people were able to survive in that tenure. The most common forms of cancer reported at that time were colorectal, prostate and breast. The report which came out in 2007 showed that around 64.8% of the people were able to live after a successful of cancer. The progress done so far is good but still there is a lot more to do. Active campaigns should be increased all around the globe (Whelan, 9). Main Challenges Curing cancer is not an easy task. Numerous factors come in order to cure this disease. Challenging situation and scenarios are to be faced by people all the time. Due to different types of cancers, a new strategy has to be applied to get rid of the disease. There are many mainstream challenges in this overall scenario. It is seen that biological inheritance of diseases is seen in most of the cases. For instance a mother having cancer gives a birth to the child, the child will be having cancer disease as well and it is very difficult to recover both lives. Changes in cell can lead to complex issues and thus it can lead the situation to a severe cancer state (Kaplan and Robert 68). Environmental and genetic factors are also a big threat. The disease is not curable if the environment is not suitable. Most of the people due to lack of awareness do not medicate themselves and wait for death. This is a terrible scenario, although Government is trying level best to aware people in every possible form. Model organisms are also sometimes unable to adjust into the human body. Early detection and diagnosis phase can lead to the path of success but people come in very late. Tumour tissues are difficult to find sometimes etc. These are the basic hardcore issues which are being faced by the Doctors and Research staff for the cure and prevention of disease (Murthy, 1074). Future Approach As this illness is highly complex and composite so essential steps need to be taken at the first place. The future should be cancer free and glorifying. The recent changes and developments in the cancer state are quite impressive and it is certain that we are winning the war on cancer. The statistical analysis depicts that from 2007 till 2011, there is massive reduction in cancer rate and these figures are quite satisfactory Medical research work needs more advancements and transformation as this disease is still making headlines throughout the globe. The phase of cancer elimination is long and lengthy so medical treatment should be fast enough. Awareness campaigns in all media networks should be made strict. Through the introduction of quick acting medicines, cancer should be demolished from the world. Research budgets should be expanded and the horizon should be vast. Work Cited Antin, Joseph H., et al. "Launching of American Journal of Cancer Research." American journal of cancer research 1.1 (2011): i. Bailar, John C. and Heather L. Gornik . Cancer undefeated." New England Journal of Medicine 336.22 (1997): 1569-1574. Cutler, David M. "Are we finally winning the war on cancer?" The Journal of Economic Perspectives 22.4 (2008): 3-26. Davis, Devra, The secret history of the war on cancer. Basic Books, 2007 DeVita Jr, Vincent T., and Steven A. Rosenberg. "Two hundred years of cancer research." New England Journal of Medicine 366.23 (2012): 2207-2214. Frieden, Thomas R., et al. "A public health approach to winning the war against cancer." The Oncologist 13.12 (2008): 1306-1313. Jones, Kathleen R., Jeong-Heon Cha, and D. 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