history of cancer research

The last 50 years have seen an explosion in cancer research and understanding. Each discovery counts and over time leads to decisive breakthroughs. In Canada, research advances have seen survival rates for children rise to about 80 per cent in our lifetime.
While survival rates have improved, some cancers continue to elude medical science. With your support, scientists will continue the quest to find a cure for all cancers—and all children. Click here to find out more about KCCFA-funded research.

Cancer Research Timeline

1890s	Radiation - X-ray discovered 1890s(radiation is still used to diagnose and treat cancer today)
1940s	Chemotherapy - Investigation of chemical warfare agents for therapeutic reasons initiates a frenzy in cancer drug studies. First drug to induce long-term remissions in ALL* patients
1950s	DNA Breakthrough - DNA structure is decoded, initiating a breakthrough in cellular biology, which leads to insights into the genetic nature of cancer Anti-cancer Drugs - New drugs found to inhibit cell division, treat leukemia and treat solid tumours
1960s to present	Combination Therapy - (several drugs given at once) circumvents the tendency of cancer cells to resist single-drug therapies Combination therapy becomes the baseline for all cancer drug regimes, making ALL* and Hodgkin's disease largely curable Adjuvant Therapy - (reducing the tumour by surgery followed by chemotherapy to kill remaining cancer cells) developed Supportive Care - New drugs reduce the side effects of cancer drugs and support patient immune systems, reduce nausea, pain and anxiety during treatment Targeted Therapy - Advances in cellular biology and genetics reveal the genetic nature of cancer. New drugs targeted to inhibit cancer cell growth without damaging healthy cells lead to more effective therapies with fewer side effects * Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia