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Most people say that cancer research is very important so our society can understand more about different types of cancer. They think it is necessary and that everyone should do their part to donate money to the different foundations. They believe that the money being donated to the cause is being allocated in the best way possible. This will give all types of cancer research some money. People assume that the money they are donating are being distributed so that the most prevalent cancers get the most money. They never questioned how the money is being distributed. People have their own ideas about what is happening in the field of cancer research. However, that does not mean that what they think is actually the truth.

Author Dennis Thompson agrees that cancer research is important, in his article “Cancer Research: Where the Funding Goes” he writes about where the money is actually going. In his article, he displayed the ten most common types of cancer and then the ten cancers that are getting the most research money. While some types of cancers appeared on both lists, most of them are different. This shows that the money is not going to the most common cancers.

Then he goes through the process of why money is allocated in a certain way. One way to determine how much money that type of cancer gets is “Whether a non-profit group has been formed to support a certain cancer” (Thompson). Usually this is where the research gets most of its money, because that organization will be the one to go out and ask for donations on behalf of the type of cancer. Another thing that goes into the distribution is “Whether the scientific groundwork has been established” (Thompson). This means that there was previously some studies done that can lead to other studies and more progress. If there wasn’t any progress then it can be really hard for them to get money from the government and therefore researchers avoid those types of cancers. Another thing that goes into the distribution of money for cancer research is “Whether research into the cancer can provide widespread scientific rewards” (Thompson). So if there is a chance that the scientists can get recognized for their efforts then more scientist will research the type of cancer. The final thing that goes into the distribution is “Whether there is money to be made” (Thompson). This means if the innovation or studies can bring big advances in the field. Thompson found out that the money distribution is mostly based on the how much money the research will bring to the foundation or hospital.

After reading this article I was enraged. I was one of the people who thought that the money was being distributed in a way to help all the patients. But know I understand that the patients’ lives aren’t even a factor in deciding the allocation for cancer research. I think that money should be given to the cancer types that are rare and don’t have previous studies because we need to find out more about these cancers and the amount of research into these types should not be based on how much money they are getting. I think that they should value human life over a paycheck or an award. I think that the way it is being distributed right now is very selfish. The scientists only care about what they are getting out of their research. I think that people should be aware of how their money is actually going into cancer research. There are many types of cancer research. It could be a scientist in a lab conducting experiments or performing clinical trials. I understand that it’s hard to decide where the money goes. I think there better way to decide than we have right now. Cancer is so common these days that every type of cancer needs funding. I think that we need to stop thinking about the pay check that we will receive and start caring about the people who lose their lives every day to this disease. I strongly believe that cancer research is very important and every type of cancer needs to be researched until we find a cure.