| Cancer is one of the most complex diseases of | | | | Because of the increasing number of cancer |
| our time. Even though modern medicine has | | | | cases, many research groups have emerged, |
| developed effective treatments over time, the | | | | each focusing on a more specific area of study. |
| disease still continues to hold many unanswered | | | | Some of the groups that conduct cancer |
| questions. | | | | research are the Northern California Cancer |
| Cancer Research is the extensive scientific study | | | | Center, Lance Armstrong Foundation and Israel |
| about cancer that aims to increase the | | | | Cancer Research Fund to name a few. |
| understanding of the disease. There are many | | | | Most of these research institutes are funded |
| areas of research, each focusing on a specific | | | | privately or through donations. There have been |
| aspect of cancer. Some focus on new treatment | | | | controversies surrounding cancer studies, most |
| modalities, effects of combination therapy, side | | | | notably the use of animals as study subjects. |
| effects and the effectivity of current treatment | | | | Researchers commonly use mice to study the |
| being used in today's medicine. This is the kind of | | | | growth of cancer cells or to check the effectivity |
| research that gave rise to modern treatment | | | | of new treatment. Pro animal groups have |
| modalities like chemotherapy and radiation. | | | | criticized this practice but scientists are quick to |
| Some research focus on the epidemiology of | | | | defend their posts saying that they make sure all |
| cancer, the causes, risk factors and lifestyle | | | | animal subjects that are injected with cancer cells |
| changes that can reduce a person's risk of | | | | are treated. |
| developing the disease. This area of cancer | | | | Regardless of one's views regarding these studies, |
| research includes the study of how the | | | | it cannot be denied that cancer research has |
| environment contributes to the development of | | | | contributed greatly to the present awareness of |
| cancer. It also includes the study of genetics and | | | | the disease and has produced treatment that has |
| how this affects a person's susceptibility to certain | | | | saved millions of lives. |
| types of cancers. | | | | |