How statistics can help cure cancer
bbc.co.uk
bbc.co.uk
How about this: Spend money on childhood cancer research! It truly feels that no one cares about a cure.
US Federal Cancer Funding 4% goes to childhood cancer research.
American Cancer Society is worse 1% goes to childhood cancer research.
There has not been a new chemotherapy medicine introduced for almost 25 years!
SJG-136 has finished phase II, it is looking good. The developer of SJG-136 has told me (in a personal conversation) the side effects are very very very mild.
Shameless plug: I'm also looking to work towards bringing a new chemotherapy into the market. (http://indysci.org/projectmarilyn)
Serious hope this project works BUT very sceptically it can make it to market. Seriously be a game changer if something goes directly to generic.
Suppose for every $1000,000 you spend you could
a) save one childhood cancer patient
b) save 20 patients with more common cancers
c) save a thousand starving African children
To the family of the child with cancer, (a) is the preferred option. To most Americans, (b) is the preferred option. To the starving people in Africa, (c) is the preferred option.
I lost my son at 12.5 years old in April to bone cancer (no change in over 25 years in survival rates). To bad the math doesn't add up to saving 20 patients with the money. I also lost my 15 year old sister to brain tumor in 1996. Both not genetic.
a) 20 adult patients (sure) 20 patients who are 65 years old gain 10-15 years (maybe) b) Save a 5 year old gain 70-75 years of a life.
Also the c) comment is very belittling and unbecoming.
By the way I have two family members who work in Africa helping these kids. I give money to help kids in India monthly. Do you give money to any of these thousands of starving kids?