This article is critical of the focus on new treatments for cancer, saying prevention should be more of a focus.

Up to 40% of cancers could be prevented by reducing the consumption of highly processed foods, high-calorie diets, and certain fats, increasing consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, and getting people to be more physically active. Alcohol consumption increases the risk of several types of cancer and accounts for 19,500 cancer deaths a year. Air pollution is a major cause of lung cancer and may also increase bladder and breast cancer. And one study found that pollution in U.S. drinking water could have caused 100,000 cancer cases between 2010 and 2017…

The human costs of allowing businesses rather than scientists and doctors to shape cancer research are high. By pursuing cancer treatment options that are the most profitable rather than the most effective for the largest number of people, the medical enterprise misses opportunities to make more substantial progress…

By proposing additional measures to make prevention the priority, tackle commercial determinants of cancer, and avoid the technological quick fix suggested by war and moonshot metaphors, those seeking to reduce the burden of cancer can develop more effective and equitable approaches.

STAT

I had the impression that, smoking, air pollution, and lack of sunscreen aside (okay, those are actually three big ones), the causes of cancer were still murky, with a suspected role for various chemicals in consumer products, food, water, and the environment, but not much known for sure and luck still playing a big role. This article seems to suggest a lot more is known about the causes of cancer than I thought. That big business has captured and corrupted our government is not news, however.