Dear Doc

Why does it seem to be taking so long for the development of vaccines and treatments for cancer?{{more}}

There are many reasons for this long wait. Indeed there have been significant developments in this area over the past decade. The main hurdle is funding, and the truth is that everyone would love to have free cancer treatment but development and administration of cancer treatment is not free. Funding for cancer research is essential for developing new vaccines and treatment. With so many other health issues requiring funding, monies for cancer research has dwindled, therefore, a breakthrough will take longer.

The concept of ethics in research has slowed the rate at which we see new drugs and vaccines on the market. There are strict protocols which guide how products are experimented with. It ensures that research subjects are protected and not exposed without consent and safety mechanisms. It ensures that people are not used for trials and discriminated against because of race, economic class or other classifications.

New developments are always coming forth but the expectations of people are also increasing. We are now better at preventing, diagnosing and treating cancers today than we were fifty years ago and that is a significant achievement.

Support cancer research and do your own by helping to educate the people around you about cancer prevention and general awareness.

SVG Cancer Society,

P.O. Box 709, Kingstown.

Email: svgsocietycancer@gmail.com

Phone:526-7036