#121 - Azra Raza, M.D.: Why we're losing the war on cancer

Podcast Notes Key Takeaways “Do the advances really reflect the quarter of a trillion dollars we’ve invested in research?” – Dr. Azra RazaWe have spent a lot of money and made limited progress but by any objective metric the return on investment in cancer research has been paltry – it’s time to try something else  We have falsely become convinced of a paradigm that we just have to find the right cocktail of drugs for each type of cancer  Medicine has perfected the art of prolonging disease“We are living in an era of the most sophisticated technological advances possible, and yet the treatment of cancer is paleolithic.” – Dr. Azra RazaWe need to refocus our energy into what has worked: Early detection“Mark my words, the coming decade of 2020-2030 will see this shift from treating disease to trying to detect early and prevent the disease from becoming established.” – Dr. Azra Raza

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Azra Raza is a physician, scientist, author, and outspoken advocate for reconfiguring the current model of research in cancer. In this episode, Azra discusses the content of her book, The First Cell, which takes a critical look at the outdated models being used to study cancer resulting in a lack of progress in survival rates for cancer patients. Azra offers a solution which focuses on early detection and prevention, and she concludes with an optimistic outlook for the future of cancer research.   We discuss: Azra’s upbringing, interest in oncology, and the basis for writing her book [3:30]; The lack of progress in cancer treatment over the decades [18:45]; What is holding the oncology field back? [33:15]; Do the purported advances in oncology reflect the billions of dollars spent on cancer research? [40:00]; Economics of new cancer drugs—how small increases in survival come with staggering financial burdens [47:00]; How good intentions can still lead to misaligned incentives and a broken system [1:03:00]; Why 95% of new cancer drugs fail—a critical review of the cancer research model [1:11:15]; Early detection and prevention—a potential solution to the cancer problem [1:22:30]; Coping with the loss of her husband to cancer [1:46:00]; Azra’s optimistic view of the future [1:49:30]; and More.

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