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When it comes to fighting cancer, getting the right treatment on time is everything. But there's a big problem: there aren't enough drugs to go around. Cancer experts are now asking for help, saying that we need to fix this drug shortage and give more money for cancer research.
In a new report from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the good news is shared: more people are surviving cancer than ever before in the U.S. But, there's also bad news: there's a growing shortage of vital cancer drugs, which makes treatment harder for many. Dr. Philip Greenberg, the head of AACR, said that this shortage is causing real problems. "People's health and lives are in danger," he stressed.
Here's something shocking: most big cancer treatment centers in the U.S. say they don't have enough of the life-saving drugs they need. In December 2022, nearly 300 important medications were hard to find. Why? There are many reasons like problems in making and delivering the drugs, and not enough companies making cheaper, common drugs.
Two drugs, cisplatin and carboplatin, are really important for treating cancer. They're missing from many hospitals, and this affects 10% to 20% of cancer patients. Dr. Vamsi Velcheti, a top cancer doctor at NYU, said these drug shortages are making things tough for patients.
But it's not just the patients who are affected. Without enough drugs, it's also hard for scientists to do research to find better treatments. A few years ago, the U.S. started a big project called the Cancer Moonshot to speed up cancer research. But now, with not enough drugs available, even basic studies are hard to do. The main group that looks into cancer for the government, the National Cancer Institute, said many of its studies might be stopped because of the drug shortage.
So, what's the solution? Dr. David Fenstermacher, a researcher, thinks that everyone needs to work together. This means drug companies, researchers, the government, and groups that support patients should team up to fix the problem.
The AACR report also says we need to spend more on cancer research. From 2010 to 2019, the government helped make many new drugs. But now, there might be cuts in funding, which means less research and slower progress.
Also, there's another big issue: not everyone gets the same chance when it comes to cancer treatment. Black people in the U.S. often have a harder time. They don't live as long after getting cancer as others. We need to make sure that as we find new treatments, everyone can benefit from them.
In short, the message from the AACR is clear: we need to act now. For those with cancer, for doctors, and for the future of healthcare in the U.S., working together is the key. Every person matters, and we need to do our best to help them.