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Lung Cancer Bypassed by Research Funds

With breast cancer and leukemia in the spotlight, lung cancer is still the deadliest type of all

Oct 6, 2008 10:08 GMT  ·  By
Cross section of a human lung. The white area in the upper lobe is cancer, the black areas indicate the patient was a smoker.
   Cross section of a human lung. The white area in the upper lobe is cancer, the black areas indicate the patient was a smoker.

According to an official National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) study published Sunday, October 5, lung cancer, the deadliest form of cancer out there and the number one cause for cancer-related deaths worldwide, receives the lowest levels of funding of all types. Esophageal and pancreatic cancers, which also have extremely high mortality rates in all countries, are very poorly subsidized as well. With most of the funding going into lighter forms of cancer, such as those affecting the breast and the blood, which have already registered significant progresses on all fronts, the three most dangerous types are left with only 20 percent of funding.  

Dr Lesley Walker from Cancer Research UK believes that this situation occurred partially because scientists are not steadily employed and must make a living out of the research grants. If they were to start a research on a form of cancer that didn't have any breakthroughs for some time now, they would virtually stake their careers and reputations on that research and there are few who would risk losing their credibility over a prolonged study. That's why most scientists head towards breast cancer researches, which prove to be the most promising. Another important factor in fund distribution is the publicity each type of cancer receives. With many celebrities advertising for breast cancer, the general public is focused on this issue and blissfully ignores other, more deadly forms of the disease.  

On the other hand, Dr Norman Freshney, from Breakthrough Breast Cancer research institute, says that the funding to breast cancer research is well worth it and that many of the breakthroughs in this field are also relevant for therapies currently employed to treat other forms of cancer as well. In other words, the results are interchangeable.  

Another major problem with the current funding system is the amount of money allocated to prevention. The NCRI study shows that out of the £393 million spent on dealing with cancer in the United Kingdom alone, only 4 percent is used to educate the population towards preventing the development of all types of cancer. While the sum has increased from 2 percent last year, scientists and doctors firmly argue that the rise must continue at an accelerated pace over the next couple of years.