• Question: do you think there will ever be a cure for cancer and could I find it?

    Asked by haleemakhan to Anna, Iain, Chris, Jane, Nick on 7 Mar 2014. This question was also asked by helloimholly, jjnsarson, jstacey, bethanyh12, , , mastermind1.
    • Photo: Anna Middleton

      Anna Middleton answered on 7 Mar 2014:

      Hi Haleemakhan
      Yes, there will be a cure for cancer one day, I feel certain of it. There is so much amazing research going on at the moment in genetics to really unpick the molecular processes involved that result in cancer. However, it still feels that there are many years to go before there will be major shifts in treatment. So, when you are ready to be a scientist you will be there at the perfect time. If you want to find a cure then genetics is definitely the area of science to work in. Go for it!

    • Photo: Nick Goldman

      Nick Goldman answered on 12 Mar 2014:

      One thing we are learning about cancer is that different cancers have different causes, and even cancers that seem the same (e.g. prostate cancer) are actually lots of different genetic problems that have similar consequences. So it might turn out that every different cancer will need its own different cure. For sure there is loads of opportunity for more scientists to help out with their own ideas.

    • Photo: Iain Moal

      Iain Moal answered on 13 Mar 2014:

      Cancer isn’t really one disease, but actually more than 100 different diseases, so I don’t think there will ever be ‘a cure for cancer’. Instead, there will be lots of different treatments for different types of cancer, all of which are and will be getting better all the time. For instance, testicular cancer is pretty much cured already, with over 97% of patients making a complete recovery.

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