So tonight is the Stand up 2 Cancer programme on Channel 4. For those who don’t know, the programme is about raising awareness and funds for treating cancer patients. The adverts confidently claim they have the knowledge and technology, but just need the funds for the treatment to be given to those who need it. This got me thinking…

Now, whist I understand why there is the need to cure people suffering from cancer, I do not understand why there is so much emphasis on treating cancer and not preventing cancer. Cancer is a modern disease, inflicted by modern choices. We know the primary causes of cancer and it will cost significantly less money to prevent cancer (it can even save people money and improve people lifestyle).

The figures today are 1 in 3 of use will get cancer. This figure suggests that we will know at least 1 person who we are close to who will suffer from cancer. From this point of view, we should donate money to cancer treatment, so when that person we love falls victim to the ailment there may be a chance they will survive. Lets improve that 1 in 3 figure. Instead of accepting that is what is going to happen, let try and prevent it from happening.

Promote healthy lifestyle, healthy choices, and don’t have the emotional pain of watching a loved one suffer. It is a long term solution but it is the only real solution to reducing cancer. Do’t get me wrong, I do want to cure people who have cancer, but I want to prevent it from occurring all together, not wait for it to manifest and then  treat it.

You can view the stand up to cancer website stand up to cancer, and help donate to improve the lifestyle of cancer suffers.