Working in oncology sometimes means working inside of a bubble that the general public might not always enter. Likely, you’re aware of new treatment developments, oncology-related governmental policies, and the latest, greatest clinical trials. But if you stopped the average individual on the street, he or she might be mostly unaware of this work in the oncology community. One thing is nearly certain though—if you asked that person if he or she knew anyone battling cancer, the answer would most likely be “yes.”
That might underlie the reason why 47% of adult Americans rate cancer as the nation’s most serious health condition in a study published by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Despite heart disease being the leading cause of death for Americans, only 11% of those polled rated it as America’s most serious disease. Cancer has nearly quadrupled those numbers in the face of public perception. In fact, more than 8 out of every 10 people asked were in support of a purposed 20% increase in cancer research funding. With the National Cancer Moonshot gaining momentum, it appears that increased funding would have massive public support from both parties.
Of those polled, 67% indicated that cancer treatments are more successful now than 10 years ago. About 27% answered that treatments are as successful now as they were ten years ago, and 3% said that current treatments are less successful than those a decade ago. The oncology community is aware of the massive strides made during the past 10 years in treatment plans, quality of care, medication, and survivorship. Considering the developments of new interventions like immunotherapy, the future of cancer treatment is poised to make progress by leaps and bounds—especially if research receives increased funding.
The study’s researchers interviewed 1,000 adults via telephone. Because the sample was representative of the U.S. population, their attitudes on cancer research, funding, and treatment development will undoubtedly feed into the larger initiative of the National Cancer Moonshot.