Let’s get to the bottom of it – 7 common cancer myths, unpicked – Cancer Research UK

Animals were developing cancer long before humans inhabited the earth, and the world’s oldest documented case of cancer in humans is from ancient Egypt in 1500 BC.   

So, some people may assume that, after all this time, someone must have found a cure. 

But the reality is that cancer is extremely complex. It comprises over 200 different diseases, and each one presents its own challenge to treat. So, despite decades of amazing research, there is no ‘silver bullet’ that will cure all cancers.  

But we have made real progress. In the charity’s 120-year history, we’ve significantly improved outcomes for people with cancer. Even in the last 40 years, survival has doubled. We’ve contributed to that by researching more effective and gentle treatments, helping to improve diagnostic techniques and campaigning for policy change. And our goal is to improve survival of those diagnosed with cancer to three in four by 2034.  

Hand in hand with the idea of a ‘silver bullet’ cure is the belief that governments, the pharmaceutical industry and even charities are hiding the cure for cancer because they make money off existing treatments.  

We understand that there are some frustrations around transparency within the pharmaceutical industry. We advocate for regulators, health technology assessment (HTA) bodies, and pharmaceutical companies to make sure that effective drugs are made available quickly and at a fair price to the NHS. That said, it’s important to remember that developing and trialling new drugs costs a lot of money, which companies need to recoup.  

And the reality is that finding a highly effective therapy would actually guarantee huge worldwide sales for any pharmaceutical company.  

What’s more, charities and government-funded scientists are free to investigate promising treatments without a profit motive.   

Finally, it’s worth remembering that we’re all human. Cancer can affect anyone, from politicians to big pharma executives. We’re all working towards a common goal – to help beat it.  

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