Each year at about this time, I share with my readers the latest in cancer statistics and trends. And, each year the positives are virtually offset by the lack of progress. As always, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) published its Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer this month. The Report’s five year focal period is normally three years in delay because of the length of time it takes to compile and analyze the data. So, this year’s information covers the period of 2005 through 2009. Almost every year, the NCI touts the trends of lower death rates and other positive statistics while expressing cautious optimism for the future. Although these reports make cancer research donors feel better about their donations and give us all hope for defeating the disease, it actually confirms just how little return we are getting from the huge investment being poured into the war against cancer.

Our immune system is one of the most phenomenal parts of our miraculous biology. A baby’s immune system is constantly reading and recording the individual characteristics of its host body’s cells and tissues. Eventually, it has an intricate data base of just what its body came outfitted with, so it can recognize any foreign intruder for the rest of its life. When cancer cells appear, the immune system cells immediately attack them as undesirables. Normally, they can kill the cells on the spot. It happens routinely in your body and in mine.  There are times when either the immune system is weakened or the cancer cells are too strong, and chemical or radiation intervention is necessary to kill the cells. Unfortunately, these therapies can severely restrict the immune function. A new study involving two popular chemotherapy drugs has found that the drugs may thwart the immune response to cancer. My immediate thought was, “duh.” Does anyone really need a study to understand that?