Massive inequality in Cancer research?

While 35,000 American men a year die of prostate cancer and 43,000 women die of breast cancer (at a somewhat earlier age), breast-cancer research gets six times as much federal money as prostate-cancer research. I would understand that if 210, 000 women died every year of breast cancer, but research shows that's not the case.





What do you think of this heavy bias against men?

Massive inequality in Cancer research?
what do you know about these cancers other than the numbers?





i worked at a cancer hospital.





i can tell you that most men DIE WITH prostrate cancer, not of it. Google it if you dont believe me.





It tends to be a slow growing cancer - so slow, chemo is not often used with it (b/c chemo attacks fast-dividing cells). It is often found on autopsy when a man has died of something else.





It is one of the few (if only) cancers that has a treatment option of "watchful waiting" (NCI) b/c it's slow.





Breast cancer is not slow, cannot be watched and a woman wont die with it and not of it. And, by the way, men get breast cancer too.





It's really great that people take such an interest in inequality in research, but it really is a disservice when ppl dont know the first thing about a topic.





If you really feel passionate about inequities in healthcare, you would put your energies into the black-white disparties. Blacks (in the usa) suffer FAR WORSE than any men can complain about.





good luck to you.
Reply:Untamed Rose: No, certain cancers are very very different than others, it would be like trying to find a cure for the common cold.





There is no one blanket cure.








For instance, brain cancer is not recommended to be treated with chemo, due to the sensitive nature of the brain cells.








As for why breast cancer is given 6 times the funding, its because more because complained about it.





I've seen 16 different commercials about raising money for breast cancer in this last year.





I've seen one commercial in my life about prostate cancer, and that one was Spike TV's "check up or check out" commercial, which was just a reminder to get yourself tested.








Like the above poster said, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Reply:Please provide some statistics to back up these statements. I think that what you are saying is inaccurage and prostrate cancer is more treatable than breast cancer. Men can also have breast cancer.


http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/t...


Estimates are 22,400 females in canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 5300 will die from it. 170 men will be diagnosed and 50 will die of breast cancer.


Instead of writing here why not educate the men you know about the importance of getting regular check ups with include psa's and prostrate checks.
Reply:Quite some time ago a bunch of people jumped up and down and made a lot of noise about breast cancer. This resulted in research being funded. It is only very recently that prostate cancer problems have come to light. Not enough people have jumped up and down and made enough noise for it to annoy the funding agencies into allotting cash for research. It is not a bias against men, it is the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.
Reply:That's what a post feminist society is all about.


But don't get me wrong of course I want massive money put into breast cancer research, I have females in my life that I love very much.


The problem with feminism it gets involved in areas that such a one sided ideology has no business being involved in and a more humane common sense approach would be more beneficial to everyone.


women have equality under the law. that's it it's done.


Now it seeks to make all aspects of the human experience an issue..and it wonders why people get irritated with it.


Allot of these women need a good dose of common sense.


But maybe some people are right maybe it should just be ignored and hopefully future generations will not be so foolish as to think we can actually change who we innately are.





tashandra..


calm down I didn't say it did directly..but when it comes to health spending Goverments will QUITE RIGHTLY screen women for breast and cervical cancer..but not unfortunately men for prostate cancer which has killed many males in my family.
Reply:Prove it! Show me where this is stated and is a proven fact for the year 2008.





Edit:





222 Show me where feminist had a major influence on the approval of funding for colon/breast cancer research. Because from what I understand, both men and women can suffer and die from colon/breast cancer. Show me where feminist have influenced the rulings on the cancer research budge from the government.





And thank you Jo, I couldn't have said it better myself.
Reply:I don't think it's a bias against men so much as a bias towards medicines which will earn the most money - if I'm correct, the biggest cancer killers are skin and lung cancer, yet whilst I am constantly invited for screening for breast and cervical cancer, no one has ever offered to check my lungs or skin (which I am most prone to, since I burn easily) I think it's all messed up - I know research has to follow the capitalist ethic, but there needs to be more government funded stuff that's in proportion to the actual risks faced by the population. Also, if you look up how much of the donations go towards actual research (rather than paying the staff at the charity) you would probably never want to donate to them again - and that goes for a lot of charities, not just breast cancer, etc :-)





ps - you change your frock more often than I change my mind!
Reply:As a volunteer for the American Cancer Society I have noticed they jump all over events like Strides and other breast cancer fundraisers. They appear to have more interest in it. While I know why, it is the biggest bang for the buck and raises a ton of money, I sometimes feel other cancers are slighted by the focus on the biggest money maker. And I am not the only volunteer to feel this way. Female volunteers too.
Reply:I understant that breast cancer could give most bang for the buck to pharmaceuticals. But isnt it a reason NOT TO give government money for it, as the private sector already have a reason to put money into it.





Shouldn't government money be focused on diseases that will help the most people. Like skin cancer and lung cancer?
Reply:I'm no Doctor...but isn't cancer...cancer?? Wouldn't a cure be to the benefit to all?





As to the funding...the major difference in funding comes from public donations. You cant make people donate to a certain group if they don't want to.


Why do Panda Bears get more money then Polar Bears. (it's discrimination! those poor polar bears)


The Breast cancer awareness "campaign" is HUGE....those little pink ribbons are everywhere and every time someone buys one money goes toward this cause.(saw them at Target the other day)
Reply:Maybe men are not as proactive as women are to get things moving so no other of their gender suffer. Or it could be that breast cancer is less treatable than prostate. I am just throwing ideas out there...
Reply:Breasts are sexier than prostates.


In our society, sexiness attracts money.





It's not right, but it's true.
Reply:My mom died of colon cancer so I wish that all cancers got equal funding.

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