Technology Vs. Cancer. Pound for Pound!

The Battle's Over. The War's On. How long will it take to finally swirl the victory flag?

- By Pratima H

'Children with cancer have higher cure rates than adults with cancer, and I wonder if the reason is their natural, unthinking bravery. Sometimes little kids seem better equipped to deal with cancer than grownups are. They're very determined little characters and you don't have to give them big pep talks. Adults know too much about failure; they're more cynical and resigned and fearful. Kids say "I want to play. Hurry up, and make me better." That's all they want.'

In his book 'It's not about the bike' Lance Armstrong also quotes Dr. Nicholas, the oncologist in his story - "In a way, cancer is the Tour De France of illnesses."

It shouldn't be. But it is. Slippery. Stealthy. Silent. Sisyphean. Always just that tad inch beyond one's grasp. Making people fight an enemy they can't even see. A battle they don't know they have won for sure when it feels like winning. An adversary that can be a nightmarish Hydra- rising from somewhere else when one thinks that its head has been cut off.

That's exactly why we need technology. Both as Iolaus to cauterise the fresh wounds so that new ones do not arise; and as Heracles to cut off the main head and bury it under some solid rock. Can technology stand up to the task? Has it? Perhaps. Almost. Right now, in 2025, it looks like we are caught up between the 'Tour De France' and 'Hurry up' here. And here's why.

WHAT ARE WE FIGHTING EXACTLY?

First- Why is the battle against cancer still so tough? This big question haunts humanity and specially those donning lab coats and white coats as they wrestle against this cryptic nemesis.