The 50-Year War on Cancer Revisited: Should We Continue to Fight the Enemy Within?

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the “War on Cancer” declared by Richard Nixon, a former President of the United States of America. By signing into law the National Cancer Act on December 23, 1971, Nixon hoped this action to be the landmark legislation taken by his administration. Nixon apparently had confidence that cancer would be conquered in 5 years. This was indeed a surprisingly wonderful X-mas present to the nation. The act represented an important turning point in cancer research as well as treatment. As a result of enthusiasm in US Congress for eradicating cancer, there was a remarkable increase in the budget of National Cancer Institute (NCI) of which substantial portions were spent in supporting the basic research to reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality from cancer. According to Vincent Devita who served as Director of US NCI from July 9, 1980 to September 1, 1988 and later directed Yale Cancer Center, the results have been explosive, leading to the revolution in molecular biology of cancer [1]. Though the ‘War on Cancer’ was officially declared in 1971, it actually had begun in about two years ago. On December 9, 1969, full-page advertisements were appeared in Washington Post and New York Times, entitled: “Mr. Nixon: you can cure cancer”. These ads were planned and initiated by the Citizens’ Committee for the Conquest of Cancer in which Marry Lasker played a prominent role. She was the widow of Chicago advertising executive Albert Lasker, and was a socialite, a philanthropist, and an activist. As a longtime supporter of public health causes, including national health insurance, Mrs. Lasker used her influential power and political network to rally support for cancer research [2]. The ad was effective. President Nixon heard the voice of the people who expressed their concern and wish to cure cancer. In his famous State of the Union address in January 1971, Nixon made a special request for an extra $100 million (equivalent approximately to $690,000,000 in 2021) to launch an intensive campaign to find a cure for cancer, and also for whatever additional funds later, if necessary, that can effectively be used. Marry Lasker, together with other individuals including policymakers and investment bankers, developed the framework of the National Cancer Act, which the President endorsed by the end of that year [3].