Why Haven't Scientists Found a Cure for Cancer?

There are several reasons why scientists have not found a cure for cancer. With so many different types of cancer today, it is hard to pinpoint exactly what causes each type and if a cure for one would be able to cure all other types. Understanding what cancer is and how it occurs are the first steps in finding a cure.

• What is Cancer:  Cancer occurs when the cell growth and death is disrupted. When the division, growth, and death of the cell tissue are disrupted, the cells begin to grow at an abnormal rate, causing you to feel ill. When abnormal cell growth occurs for too long, the DNA in the cell tissue is compromised and learns a new pattern at which it continues to grow as such.


• Cancer Causes: No scientist is 100% sure as to what causes cancer. Many think that it can be a cause of environmental factors, genetics, and personal circumstances such as smoking. Because there are so many variables in the cause of cancer, this makes it difficult to find a cure.


• Lack of Cause and Effect: Another reason that scientists are having a hard time curing cancer is because there is a lack of cause and effect that is not definite. For instance, there are certain substances, carcinogens and circumstances that have been proven to cause cancer, but not everyone exposed to them gets cancer. Not all heavy smokers get cancer even though smoking has been proven to cause cancer. Additionally, some people that have never smoked a day in their life are still dying of lung cancer.


• Cancer Research: Many feel that part of the reason that scientists have not found a cure for cancer is because there is such a huge focus on the treatment of cancer but not so much on prevention, or the cause.