Panama City, Fla. - Millions of Americans will be affected by cancer this year alone. Doctors say they are making great progress in cancer treatment and finding cures, but it does take time. Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Larry Clausen has cancer of the larynx that makes it difficult for him to talk. He is being treated at the Gulf Coast Cancer Institute. Doctors are using chemotherapy and radiation to treat him.
“I think I’m very fortunate in the resources that are available to me here,” Clausen said. Radiation Oncologist Dr. Jeff Trupp agrees. He says radiation and chemotherapy are now taking care of advanced cancer, and that means a better prognosis for patients. Dr. Trupp says, “Not too many years ago, he (Clausen) would have definately had surgery.”
Radiation Oncologist Dr. David B. Hurst explained that the medical community is making strides in treating caner. “I don’t think you’re going to see the one magic pill that’s going to cure all...I think it’s going to be a long progression of successes, and it’s going to span years,” said Dr. Hurst.
The American Cancer Society notes that looking at the five-year relative survival rates for 1975-1977 and 1996-2002, there is a 16% increase. That means a better survival rate over the past 30 years.
Click here to see the 2007 statistics from the American Cancer Society.