There has been an incredible amount of investment in cancer research over many decades, and for those who have personally fundraised or donated in that time, it can feel disheartening that we don't seem to be any closer to curing cancer. We asked our experts to explain just why cancer is so difficult to cure, how we've made more progress than we might think, and how every additional cancer research project we fund can offer new hope for the future.
Why is cancer so difficult to cure?
While we have made significant progress over the years, the likelihood is that we won't ever find one single cure for cancer, for a number of reasons:
Cancer is not just one single disease
Instead, it’s an umbrella term for more than 200 distinct diseases. Each of these broad cancer types has many sub-types, and they all look and behave differently, because they are different on a genetic and molecular level. This is because cancer is caused by our own cells growing and dividing uncontrollably, so each cancer can be as different and diverse as people are.
There are countless mutations that affect treatment
Underlying all of these cancers sub-types are countless different genetic mutations. Every cancer is caused by a different set of cell mutations, and as the tumour grows, more and more mutations accumulate. This means that every tumour has an individual set of mutations, which means that a drug that works for one cancer patient could have absolutely no effect on another.
Cancer cells within a single tumour are not identical
Not every cancer cell in a tumour will have the same genetic mutations as a neighbouring cancer cell. That means that treatments can often kill one type of cell in a tumour, while others survive the treatment, which unfortunately allows the tumour to grow again.
Even effective treatments can stop working
The genetic mutations that cancer cells acquire over time mean that the cells also change the way they behave. This can be an incredibly difficult problem during treatment because the mutations can lead to cancer cells developing resistance over time, making the treatment ineffective. If that happens, the patient will then have to be put on to a different treatment – but again, the cancer could develop resistance to the new drug.
Cancer cells are really good at staying alive
Normal cells have certain mechanisms in place that stop them from growing or dividing too much. Cancer cells have lost these control mechanisms and can develop an arsenal of tricks to avoid being killed.
Worldwide Cancer Research starts new cures to stop cancer
At the critical first stage of the research journey
Because there has been a 25% decline in global funding for discovery research since 2006, even though all new tests and treatments for cancer rely on it.
Into any type of cancer - however rare or well-known
Because there are over 200 different types of cancer and while some have seen dramatic improvements in survival rates over recent years, others have not.
From world-class scientists anywhere in the world
Because ideas that could transform our understanding of how we can solve big cancer problems like resistance, spread, and late diagnosis, could come from anywhere.
What progress has been made in curing cancer?
While we know that individual cancer diagnoses remain one of the scariest conversations that people can have with their doctors, it is worth stepping back to look at the bigger picture.
Over the last 40 years we have seen astonishing progress, and survival rates have increased dramatically. In the UK alone, cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s.
But some cancers have seen less progress than others. International cancer research will help us reach a day when no life is cut short by any cancer. Together we can fund more of it.
As a researcher and doctor who has seen first-hand the lifesaving potential of new targeted therapies, my opinion is that we are far from helpless in the face of cancer.
How can we make a difference for people with cancer?
Right now, thanks to our Curestarters, we are funding scientists looking to answer some of the biggest questions we have about cancer and how to cure it.
Like Dr Christopher Hubert in the USA who is looking to find the best therapy combinations for glioblastoma - a very aggressive, and currently incurable, type of brain tumour.
Or Dr Sandro Cosconati in Italy, whose project aims to uncover whether AI could help us target some of the hardest to treat cancers.
FAQs:
How can I support Worldwide Cancer Research?
Our community of Curestarters fund pioneering research around the world into new cancer cures. By becoming a Curestarter, you can help fund more crucial research to bring us one step closer to a day when no life is cut short by cancer.
Is there a cure for cancer?
Billions have already been spent on cancer research over many decades, so it is understandable that you might be questioning whether a cure for cancer may already exist. But we can categorically state that there is no universal or hidden cure for cancer.
From cancer charities and researchers to pharmaceutical companies and doctors - we are all human, all affected by cancer, and we all have the same goal, to reach a day when no life is cut short by cancer.
Which cancers are not curable?
Some cancers are easier to treat than others and have high survival rates meaning a lot of people reach the point where they no longer need treatment and their cancer is not expected to return.
Thanks to research, around 85% of women in the UK will survive breast cancer for 5 years or more after diagnosis. For pancreatic cancer the survival rate is a lot lower - only around 10% of people will survive for 5 years or more. This is partly because pancreatic cancer is very difficult to diagnose and often spreads, making it harder to cure.
Every cancer is different though and it behaves differently in everyone's bodies. The more we understand about cancer, including incurable cancers, the better we can stop it.
Can you cure cancer without treatment?
Cancer treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy, and the best option is decided based on the type and stage of cancer. If you, or someone you love, have received a cancer diagnosis then your oncologist is the best person to speak to about your treatment plan.
There is no scientific evidence that alternative therapies such as homeopathy can cure cancer. We recommend only following advice from your health provider or reputable organisations.
Exciting breakthroughs in cancer research happen all the time. Stay informed.
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