About 14.5 million people in the United States defeated cancer or survived with a tumor for more than five years. The new scientific tools in our hands are now allowing us to explore the genetics basics on cancer and target the molecular triggers that sets off cancer and prevent it from spreading. Between 1998 and 2001 cancer targeted drugs, such as Herceptin for breast cancer and Gleevec for leukemia were approved; the drugs have help cleared five new targeted treatments for cancer.
Although not every battle ends in victory, we can now label patients suffering from cancer into smaller groups based on the specific genetics of their malignancies. By doing so, researchers can pinpoint specific mutations with new drugs; according to Ken Anderson, a physician and spokesman for the America Association for Cancer Research, these medications also lessens the side effects such as nausea and fatigue. Other new types of cancer treatments are now focusing on protecting the immune system, trying to prevent the cancer from growing in the body.
As Anderson stated, "These new medicines offer the opportunity for unprecedented extent and frequency of responses on the one hand and a very favorable side effect profile on the other."
This year about 1.6 million Americans will find out they have cancer. In 2009, it costed about $216.6 billion for the country to attempt curing cancer. My grandfather past away due to lung cancer, so the news about these new drugs gave me a sense of hope. I know the damage cancer can do to not only the person having it, but it also affects the loved ones in your family. Hopefully these new drugs will help us defeat cancer once and for all. So far the battles are turning to our favor, but will we eventually win the war?
Article: http://health.heraldtribune.com/2014/09/30/genetics-helping-survivor-tally-triple-40-years-ago/
Related article about one of the new drug for breast cancer: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/28/us-health-cancer-roche-idUSKCN0HN06R20140928
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