Among a lot of other lists, TIME magazine published the Top 10 Medical Breakthroughs in 2008 list. They consider the next 10 things the biggest discoveries and news in medicine this year:
- First Neurons Created from ALS Patients
- Inflammation vs. Cholesterol
- Scarless Surgery
- Genomes for the Masses
- New Genes for Alzheimer’s
- A Five-in-One Vaccine
- Gene Screens for Breast Cancer
- Blood Test for Down Syndrome
- Seasick Patch for Cancer Patients
- Stem-Cell Trachea Transplant
I hope to add to the list for 2009: the final proof that a virus is responsible for a portion, perhaps the majority of breast cancer in women.
I am working with scientists to finally answer the question “Does a virus cause breast cancer in women?”
As a breast cancer surgeon, and as the daughter of a mother who had breast cancer, I am convinced that standing, walking and racing for the “cure” is not enough – even if we could cure 100% of women with breast cancer, there will be over 1.3 million new cases next year, thousands more everyday.
We have to find the causes of breast cancer.
If we can nail down this virus, we can work on a vaccine – and perhaps even change the therapies for those women who already have a viral form of breast cancer.
It is time for a CHANGE – the “pure cure” is prevention!
By: Dr. Kathleen Ruddy on Monday, 22 December , 2008
at 7:18 pm