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Breast cancer causes and treatment: where are we going wrong?
Authors Seymour C, Mothersill C
Received 16 September 2013
Accepted for publication 1 October 2013
Published 3 December 2013 Volume 2013:5 Pages 111—119
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/BCTT.S44399
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 2
Colin B Seymour, Carmel Mothersill
Medical Physics and Applied Radiation Sciences Department, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Abstract: This discussion paper seeks to provoke thoughts about cancer research in general, and why breast cancer in particular is not yet “curable”. It asks the question – are we looking at the disease in the right way? Should we regard cancer as a progressive state, which is part of aging? Should we tailor treatment to “reset” the system or slow progression rather than try using toxic and aggressive therapy to kill every cancer cell (and sometimes also the patient)? The thesis is presented that we need to revisit our fundamental beliefs about the disease and then ask why we cling to beliefs that clearly are no longer valid. The paper also questions the role of ethics boards in hampering research and discusses the concept that breast cancer is an industry with vested interests involving profiteering by preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic players. Finally, the paper suggests some ways forward based on emerging concepts in system biology and epigenetics.
Keywords: breast cancer, causes, treatment, questioning paradigms
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