MD Anderson Launches New War On Cancer

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MD Anderson Launches New War On Cancer
Cancer center in Houston launches 'Moon Shots Program'
Author: By Miriam Falco CNN
Posted: Sep 21 2012 2:44 PM CDT Updated: Sep 21 2012 6:41 PM CDT

Houston - Fifty years ago, President John F. Kennedy came to Houston and told the world that the United States would go to the moon before the end of the 1960s. On Friday, Houston's MD Anderson Cancer Center announced its own "Moon Shots Program," aimed at significantly reducing the number of deaths from a handful of cancers by the end of this decade.

Inspired by Kennedy's words, Dr. Ronald DePinho, president of the large cancer treatment and research center, is launching this project in two parallel tracks: "One is to apply the existing knowledge, to make a near-term impact in this decade," he said. "The second is to also say, 'We do not know everything we need to know to ultimately cure the disease.'"

The cancer center calls the program "an unprecedented effort to dramatically accelerate the pace of converting scientific discoveries into clinical advances that reduce cancer deaths." "The Moon Shots Program signals our confidence that the path to curing cancer is in clearer sight than at any other time in history," DePinho says. Doctors at MD Anderson believe that dying from cancer can eventually be as rare as dying from pneumonia. And DePinho believes this can happen sooner rather later for patients suffering from the following five types of cancer:

•lung cancer
•melanoma
•triple negative breast cancer and ovarian cancer (which are very similar on the molecular level)
•prostate cancer
•acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome & chronic lymphocytic leukemia (blood cancers)

These types of cancers were chosen by a panel of 25 experts from within and outside MD Anderson based on what's known about prevention, treatment and survivorship as well as the likelihood of reducing the number of deaths. "We're not talking about decades and generations. We're talking about today," said Dr. Gordon Wells, co-head of women's cancer.

Many patients said the center's initiative gives them new hope. "Failure has never been an option, and to hear from the top-level executives that they are committed to those same goals frankly is overwhelming," melanoma patient Brian Rose said. "I couldn't be more thankful to the unbelievable team at MD Anderson for all you're doing," said Bree Sandlin, a 37-year-old triple negative breast cancer patient. "I know in my heart that we will beat this. Now there is a lot more hope for triple negative patients."

Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer worldwide, in part because the cancer is usually found when it's already spread. A good way to screen for this cancer is still elusive. That's why good screening tools are so crucial. "If you catch stage 1 lung cancer, you're dealing with about a 20%, mortality as opposed to advanced-stage cancers where you're dealing with about 10% survival," DePinho told CNN. One of MD Anderson's experts has developed a blood test in mice that can more accurately determine who should have a CT screening. Part of this "moon shot" will include making this test useful in humans.

Skin cancer, meanwhile, is the most common form of cancer, but it's usually not fatal, except for the 5% who are diagnosed with the deadliest form: melanoma. "We are being given resources for that team to make it happen," said Wells. DePinho said he's leveraging the knowledge gained from treating more than 100,000 patients each year with the skills of 19,000 employees and 7,000 trainees to significantly improve the detection, treatment and survival rates of cancer, as well as preventing the disease in the first place.

The cancer center is backing this project with a $3 billion investment over the next decade. "Those funds will come from institutional earnings, philanthropy, competitive research grants and commercialization of new discoveries," DePinho said. "It's not one technology but a confluence of disruptive technologies that have given us a very strong tool box to make a decisive assault on the cancer problem."

Forty years after President Richard Nixon declared war on cancer, MD Anderson plans to move the battle to a new level by taking advantage of the many technological advances. For example, doctors can now analyze the DNA of a patient or a tumor in a matter of hours and for only hundreds of dollars, something that took 10 years and cost billions when the first genome was sequenced.

Knowing specifics about a patient's genetics can help doctors determine who will benefit from an existing drug and who will not, so patients aren't wasting time and money on a very expensive drug that will not help their cancer. The project is scheduled to launch in February 2013.

Copyright 2012 by Click2Houston.com. CNN NewSource contributed to this report. All rights reserved.

[Retro4Life]

Certainly a worthwhile crusade. I wish them all the best.

[Big3sCompanyFan]

Do people have to go to the moon to get the shot?

You know why there will never be a cure for cancer? Or not for a very long time?

The American Cancer Society and other major cancer groups have it their charter that they are to disband if a cure is found. Plus thousands of oncologists and related doctors would be out of work overnight!

Literally BILLIONS of dollars would be lost! That's why a lot of people say the medical community does NOT want to cure cancer because they make BILLIONS from treating it!

[janet42]

Originally Posted by Big3sCompanyFan

Do people have to go to the moon to get the shot?

You know why there will never be a cure for cancer? Or not for a very long time?

The American Cancer Society and other major cancer groups have it their charter that they are to disband if a cure is found. Plus thousands of oncologists and related doctors would be out of work overnight!

Literally BILLIONS of dollars would be lost! That's why a lot of people say the medical community does NOT want to cure cancer because they make BILLIONS from treating it!

I can't imagine the charter being that dishonest that they want people be sick with cancer for money.

[Retro4Life]

Originally Posted by Big3sCompanyFan

Do people have to go to the moon to get the shot?

You know why there will never be a cure for cancer? Or not for a very long time?

The American Cancer Society and other major cancer groups have it their charter that they are to disband if a cure is found. Plus thousands of oncologists and related doctors would be out of work overnight!

Literally BILLIONS of dollars would be lost! That's why a lot of people say the medical community does NOT want to cure cancer because they make BILLIONS from treating it!

So what's the answer, then? Throw up our arms and just sit alone in the dark in our homes, paranoid and distrustful of everything?

Those are very serious allegations, particularly when backed up by nothing but attitude and fear mongering.

I'm really happy I don't have your outlook on life.

[Big3sCompanyFan]

Originally Posted by janet42

I can't imagine the charter being that dishonest that they want people be sick with cancer for money.

Check out this quote by Gary Null, Ph.D:

"A solution to cancer would mean the termination of research programs, the obsolescence of skills, the end of dreams of personal glory, triumph over cancer would dry up contributions to self perpetuating charaties...it would morally threaten the current clinical establisment by rendering obselete the expensive surgical, radiological, and chemotherapeautic treatments in which so much money, training, and equipment is invested...The new therapy must be disbelieved, denied, discouraged, and disallowed at all costs, regardless of any testing results, and preferrably without any testing at all!"

Some more very interesting quotes here:

http://www.whale.to/a/cancer_c.html

[Big3sCompanyFan]

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

So what's the answer, then? Throw up our arms and just sit alone in the dark in our homes, paranoid and distrustful of everything?

Those are very serious allegations, particularly when backed up by nothing but attitude and fear mongering.

I'm really happy I don't have your outlook on life.

Dude, get a grip! You act like it's my fault! Read the link in my post above.

I have NOTHING to do with it. It's the reality of the cancer industry. It's like a 10 BILLION dollar a year business! You realize how many people would be out of a job if cancer were cured?

It's not just doctors but technicians, nurses, and many companies who make cancer diagnosing or treating equipment would be almost instantly out of a job! All I'm saying is there are some powerful forces AGAINST that!

[AKA]

Big3s, there are people on this site, in this very thread, whose lives are currently impacted by cancer. Since you're incapable of showing tact or compassion, stay the hell away from this thread.

Moderators, can we grant a lifetime ban to anyone who thrives on being a dick? We don't need trolls here.

[Big3sCompanyFan]

Originally Posted by Brad

Big3s, there are people on this site, in this very thread, whose lives are currently impacted by cancer. Since you're incapable of showing tact or compassion, stay the hell away from this thread.

Moderators, can we grant a lifetime ban to anyone who thrives on being a dick? We don't need trolls here.

YOU are the dick you North Korean!

What happened to 1st amendment rights? I'm simply telling you the REALITY of the cancer industry and how it thrives on MONEY!

You cannot keep censoring people just because you disagree with them!!

[AKA]

A civilized person wouldn't come into someone else's thread about new cancer research (or anything else, for that matter) and take a big, smelly dump on it. The notion that people in this very thread may have loved ones suffering from cancer, or may, themselves, be fighting the disease, would occur to a civilized person. After all, a civilized person would be reserved enough to avoid selfishly putting their own ego ahead of the hope and the feelings of others.

Since you are not a civilized person, but a career troll, I wouldn't expect that type of consideration from you.

[Vahan]

Originally Posted by Big3sCompanyFan

YOU are the dick you North Korean!

What happened to 1st amendment rights? I'm simply telling you the REALITY of the cancer industry and how it thrives on MONEY!

You cannot keep censoring people just because you disagree with them!!

Get the **** out of here you, racist, hateful, intolerant, jerk! And never come back! You're the one who acts like a North Korean!

[Retro4Life]

Originally Posted by Brad

A civilized person wouldn't come into someone else's thread about new cancer research (or anything else, for that matter) and take a big, smelly dump on it. The notion that people in this very thread may have loved ones suffering from cancer, or may, themselves, be fighting the disease, would occur to a civilized person. After all, a civilized person would be reserved enough to avoid selfishly putting their own ego ahead of the hope and the feelings of others.

Since you are not a civilized person, but a career troll, I wouldn't expect that type of consideration from you.

[Big3sCompanyFan]

Originally Posted by Brad

A civilized person wouldn't come into someone else's thread about new cancer research (or anything else, for that matter) and take a big, smelly dump on it. The notion that people in this very thread may have loved ones suffering from cancer, or may, themselves, be fighting the disease, would occur to a civilized person. After all, a civilized person would be reserved enough to avoid selfishly putting their own ego ahead of the hope and the feelings of others.

Since you are not a civilized person, but a career troll, I wouldn't expect that type of consideration from you.

Dude, you are completely delusional and YOU are the troll! You realize a DOCTOR told me about the problems with cancer and the money involved? Literally millions would be out of business in many different fields if a cure was found. He simply said it's in the best interest in people's livelihoods that they keep treating people instead of finding a cure!

[Big3sCompanyFan]

Originally Posted by Vahan

Get the **** out of here you, racist, hateful, intolerant, jerk! And never come back! You're the one who acts like a North Korean!

NONSENSE! You are looking in the mirror you hateful FOOL!

Grow up and quit acting like a baby and realize other people are allowed to have a different opinion than you!!

As I said I have spoken with doctors about this and included quotes from doctors who speak of this!

[loaferman]

Originally Posted by Vahan

Get the **** out of here you, racist, hateful, intolerant, jerk! And never come back! You're the one who acts like a North Korean!

Hear, hear.