Cancer treatment needs more research for optimal result — American Physician

An American researcher, Dr. Matthew Heckman, on Thursday, said that the treatment of cancer needs more research for optimal result.

Heckman stated this while fielding questions from journalists after delivering a public lecture titled “Epistemic Balance: A Perspective from Circadian Biology and Modern Medicine” organised by Chrisland University, Abeokuta. 

He, therefore, advised African leaders to leverage technology and research development for qualitative healthcare delivery.

Heckman added that leaders in the continent had done so much by investing in the health sector, while asking them to prioritise access to technology, therapeutics and more medical researches.

“‘Most African leaders are doing what they can but they still have to come along and assist; they have to give access to technology, give access to therapeutics. Also give access to more people to work and research together.

ALSO READ: Woman lists early signs she ignored before being diagnosed with bowel cancer

“These are things that need more research, more understanding to be able to develop normal therapeutics because frankly the way we treat cancer right now is not optimal. 

“We still need to take other things into account and we’re hoping that time may be one of them that makes the difference for somebody somewhere .

“We have so much to do in terms of research, it took 300 years to get to where we are right now, I hope it doesn’t take 300 yrs to be able to positively affect human experience . I don’t know what the future holds; we’re just trying to make a difference,” he said.

On Circadian clock, Dr Heckman equally admonished people to promote healthy living, describing the Circadian clock as a rhythmic clock that controls the internal biological processes cycling every 24 hours.

“Healthy living actually entrains your circadian clock; getting enough sleep, going to bed in time, getting up early, eating healthy meals and all of the things doctors tell you to do; they entrain your skin clock to make you feel better. 

“While we can use the circadian clock to make people healthier, you can also do that yourself; your health is in your own hands as well; it’s not just what doctors and medical researchers can do for you,” he said.

While speaking, Chrisland Vice Chancellor, Professor Oyedunni Sola-Arulogun, said the public discourse was an avenue to remind all that “knowledge is not a monologue, it is a symphony.”

“ln this symphony, circadian biology our body’s ancient rhythm and modern medicine our most sophisticated interventions-must learn to play in harmony. 

“As a university, we do not merely teach facts-we interrogate frameworks. We do not simply train professionals we cultivate thinkers who ask, how can diverse systems of knowledge inform better health and better lives,” she added.

She stated further that the lecture brings the town and gown together in sharing and acquiring knowledge in the overall interest of humanity.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE