War on cancer: victory or defeat?

摘要

In 1971, President Nixon launched the "War on Cancer." Oncology professionals proclaim the War has been won. But gaps in cancer care-poor colonoscopy screening rates and technique, prostate cancer surgeries by inexperienced physicians, patients unable to obtain medications, and health care access disparities-make it difficult to support the contention of victory. Research is needed in many areas: the role of environmental exposures in development of cancer, evidence-based cancer prevention strategies, and modifiable risk factors. Policy is needed to address disparities in care. The War on Cancer has not been won: advances have been made, but there is work to be done.