War on Cancer: Victory or Defeat?

In 1971, President Nixon launched the “War on Cancer.” Oncology professionals proclaim the War has been won. But gaps in cancer care—poor colonoscopy screening rates and technique, prostate cancer surgeries by inexperienced physicians, patients unable to obtain medications, and health care access disparities—make it difficult to support the contention of victory. Research is needed in many areas: the role of environmental exposures in development of cancer, evidence-based cancer prevention strategies, and modifiable risk factors. Policy is needed to address disparities in care. The War on Cancer has not been won: advances have been made, but there is work to be done.