title: The fight against cancer: Is it worthwhile?
abstract: This article alludes to the findings of Tomasetti and Vogelstein and argues that for clinicians and scientists no matter how difficult understanding the pathogenesis of cancer may be, they remain the only hope for patients suffering from the disease. Data citing wide differences in cancer incidence in different parts of the world is presented to drive home the point that 'Bad luck' is not a good enough explanation for cancer pathogenesis. There remains a lot to be uncovered in cancer and clinicians and scientists should strive to this end.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Bariatric Surgery, Medanta Institute of Digestive and Hepatobiliary Sciences, Medanta-The Medicity, Gurgaon, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Savio George
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Barreto
authors.affiliation: Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Gurgaon, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Merlyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barreto
authors.affiliation: The Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Center, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Rohan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chaubal
authors.affiliation: The Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Center, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dutt
keywords: cancer pathogenesis; genetic risk for cancer; global cancer epidemiology