Sir, - The establishment scientists tell us that cancer is largely the result of lifestyle, including factors such as a poor diet, cigarette-smoking and excessive sunbathing. Faulty genes and proximity to nuclear power stations may also be contributory factors. But the good news, as we are continually being reminded, is that research will provide a cure any day now. This is the authoritative scientific view, promoted by the pharmaceutical companies, the cancer charities and the media science correspondents.
The truth, however, is that we do not know the main causes of cancer or why it is becoming more prevalent. While authorities emphasise the dangers of cigarette-smoking, which undoubtedly is a serious factor, they overlook other chemical and environmental causes. This is unlikely to change as long as cancer research is dominated by the medical-industrial complex.
In the current issue of The Ecologist, Martin J. Walker writes that Britain's cancer charities are a multi-million pound industry but that they are no nearer to "curing" cancer than they were half-a-century ago. Much of their time and money is spent avoiding awkward questions about what causes the disease. Mr Walker says that cancer "research" in Britain is a misnomer: "As science and medicine have become increasingly interlocked with industry, the motivation, initiative and funding for preventive cancer research has all but dried up. Throughout the post-war years in Britain, industry, government and science have tried to tackle the cancer epidemic by searching for miracle cures rather than investigating causes; by playing with gene sequences rather than looking at environmental pollution; and by taking industry's money rather than looking at its record." He concludes that the cancer research charities are part of the problem, not the solution.
The research focus is on the fashionable idea that unravelling the human genome will provide the solution to all human illness, including cancer, even though probably no more than 5 per cent of cancers are considered to he hereditary. Research into the real causes would include investigation of industrial carcinogens. Statistical information about all cancers should be compiled and published by an independent body to which the public has access. As Mr Walker writes: "The research, prevention and treatment of cancer is too important to be left in the hands of a small number of unaccountable scientists, funded by industry money and the voluntary sector." It is time for a change. - Yours, etc.,
Myles Crowe, Clonakilty, Co Cork.