August 23, 2007
Cancer Docs' Organization Ignores Prevention
The American Society of Clinical Oncology sent out a press release today calling on the presidential candidates to articulate what they will do to further the War on Cancer when they speak at a national forum hosted by the Lance Armstrong Foundation next week. Their list of "demands" includes more money for research, better access to care, more enrollment in clinical trials, training a new generation of oncologists, and equipping the Food and Drug Administration to better evaluate new cancer drugs.
Hey, ASCO! Ever heard of prevention? Where's your call for an expanded war on smoking? How about combating obesity? Those are the two biggest causes of cancers and a sustained war on both would do far more to reduce America's cancer mortality rate than spending billions more on research.
Of course the Democratic candidates should sustain America's already well-funded cancer research establishment, and improve the quality of care for those who have cancer. But if they are actually interested in winning the war, then they might consider promising a $2-a-pack tax on cigarettes to fund further research and a free YMCA membership for any American with body mass index that qualifies as overweight.
Posted by gooznews at August 23, 2007 10:33 PMYou GO!!!
Prevention is the KEY to most diseases...most people don't want the discipline it takes to be healthy...enough said!
It's no surprise that ASCO is not promoting cancer prevention. It's not their mission. And also ASCO, like most cancer professional societies --and cancer patient groups and so-called patient groups as well-- is a major recipient of funding from pharmaceutical companies, which affects its policies and activities. that's part of why we dont' hear groups like ASCO demanding that drug prices be controlled or working for universal health care, not just care for a single disease.
Those who wish to learn more about pharma influences on healthcare and health might want to visit the website of Healthy Skepticism at www.healthyskepticism.org.
A related concern that has not had media coverage that I know of is the Lance Armstrong Foundation presidential forum venue itself. Those of us on the LAF mailing list have been receiving recent messages imploring us to "Join the Livestrong Army" and demand that the future Commander-in-chief tell us what the plan will be to conquer the battle against cancer, etc, etc. The missives are full of military metaphors and recruitment slogans.
the Livestrong Army site is at:
http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.khLXK1PxHmF/b.3061157/k.6072/LIVESTRONG_Army_Petition/apps/ka/ct/contactus.asp?c=khLXK1PxHmF&b=3061157&en=bjIUJ5OKLfIKKZOIJbKMIbNQLeKQL3PKIlK4KiM2F
I have written twice to principals of LAF and also to their media office about my concerns over the poor taste of this "campaign" at the very time when the US is involved in a brutal and senseless war that is inflicting terrible consequences on Americans and even more so on Iraquis. It is beyond my comprehension why LAF would choose to trivialize a very real war. The entire LAF PR campaign has left me speechless. Another example: One of the mailings had a tag line about cancer being the biggest killer of people under 75, and arrived about the same time that Bush reiterated his vow to veto the SCHIP reauthorization, denying healthcare for many of our children.
To date, I have had no reply from LAF, but urge all of you who share these concerns to let thme ( and ASCO too) know what you think.
Posted by: Joana Ramos at August 29, 2007 01:04 AM