alt Hacker NewsWhat does solving cancer mean? Stopping any and all mutations from happening? Seems like a pretty tall order.
I guess being able to scan each and every cell for the cancerous mutation is also a possible solution, but also a tall order.
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I'll assume you're asking in good faith. You don't have to prevent mutations or scan every cell in the human body to "solve" cancer. You can:
- make detection easier and cheaper (e.g. with less invasive biopsies)
- make treatment easier and cheaper (e.g. more precise targeted treatments, making chemo a last resort instead of the only option)
Among other things. There's even emerging research that certain types of cancers could be "vaccinated" against: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-02612-3
It means being able to stop any uncontrolled cell replication.
Solving cancer means invent the technology to ensure no or few people die from cancer. For example you invent a technique for whole body scans that almost always catches cancer and you scan everyone every 6 months. Then cancer is solved technologically although rolling out the scanners is very hard and not solved yet.