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This deeply irresponsible & gullible @nypost on an imminent cure for cancer has done the rounds. It's wrong on somany levels, but exemplifies some persistent misunderstandings. So here's a short thread on why it's nonsense - buckle in! (1/n) 
...firstly, cancer isn't a single disease. It's an entire family of diseases, unified by the fact they arise from uncontrolled division of mutant cells. Every cancer is completely different, as is there prognosis & treatment. "Cancer" is a class rather than specific illness 2/n
...in fact, you can only broadly define it by "type" - because can cancers are mutations of our own cells, they are specific to each person. That means even between patients with same type of cancer, there's huge variation how those tumours evolve or respond to treatment (3/n)
..in practice that means a single "magic bullet" cure for cancer is extraordinary unlikely. It'd be like expecting the same methods that fix your dishwasher to get your car running. It's also why we have many treatment modalities for cancer, from radiation to immunotherapy. 4/n
The current headline is based on a sensationalist claim by a company in Israel, who have provided bugger all evidence for their assertion, but are probably making a packet off idiot investors & free publicity. @GidMK has written it up here for context 5/n medium.com/@gidmk/there-i…
...it's also worth reading @DrRobertOConnor from the @IrishCancerSoc demolishing the magic bullet model of cancer cures, & elaborating on why a single panacea is incredibly unlikely 6/n medium.com/@robert.oconno…
Now, as my friend & colleague @robjohnnoble points out, the post did eventually get out a more sceptical follow up story here. But the problem I see is that the damage is done regarding; data suggests corrections don't propagate as far as fictions 7/n
Just take a look at some typical responses to the Post tweet. With the honourable exception of @noodlemaz trying valiantly to inject reason, they are deeply conspiratorial in nature, alleging big pharma conspiracy & suppressed cures. Which is bollox - but popular bollox. 8/n
..so when this story inevitably amounts to nothing, it feeds into poor understanding of cancer, & a narrative that "cures" for cancer are being suppressed, ignoring the fact that our outcomes for cancer constantly improve & survival has never been better. 9/n
..the crucial point in that these headlines are blatant fictions, & if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Media outlets have a responsibility too to ensure they're reporting facts rather than running publicity for any outfit. Keep that in mind, @nypost (10/10 , n = 10)
