Chemotherapy and the failure of war on cancer

Re “A fight to say no to chemo,” Opinion, July 29

Adam Baer’s commentary heart-wrenchingly captures the dilemma faced by so many folks with life-threatening diseases who are treated by very imperfect and harsh regimens. Many of these harsh treatments cure people and are backed up by peer-reviewed studies in recognized medical journals. Even so-called alternative treatments are receiving scrutiny through a special institute created for this purpose at the National Institutes of Health.

Still, prisons in the United States house quacks who have hoodwinked people in their most desperate hours by promising cures using feel-good approaches. Unfortunately, the U.S. arm of the law cannot reach to other nations to cull out quacks who endanger the lives of our citizenry.

STEVEN B. OPPENHEIMER

Director

Center for Cancer and

Developmental Biology

Cal State Northridge

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Thank you so much for publishing this valuable message. Every other day it seems we are bombarded with cancer walks, marathons and postage stamps, yet there is very little coverage of the failure of the war on cancer during the 35 years since it was declared.

This failure comes as no surprise to someone like me, who has watched a family member be blasted with radiation and chemotherapy, then die a few years later from another cancer caused by the treatment.

I can only advise others to question the medical hierarchy and not be afraid to just say no to these torturous, toxic treatments.

PAT DAVIS

Woodland Hills