By Sue Rochman

From Mice to Men

The scientific method can help you decide if the latest cancer news is really news

By Sue Rochman

Learning to Use a Scientist's Eye

Scientists know firsthand that they and their colleagues are often as surprised by their successes as they are shocked by their setbacks. And they not only want the public to understand this, they need them to. “Scientists justifiably get very excited about studies where we can see a leap forward or a new understanding of how a genetic change might be related to human disease,” says Courtneidge. “But very rarely is there a great leap forward.”

Being aware that science is more about small steps than superhuman strides will not only help consumers assess new research but will allow them to modify their expectations, not only of what scientists can do but of what it will take to cure cancer. It will also help the public wade through the confusion of conflicting studies and seemingly wrong advice.

Another part of this scientific understanding, scientists say, must include the recognition that researchers still have much to learn, and that cancer is not one disease but many diseases—so the discovery of one single cure is highly unlikely.

Knowing this could help the public evaluate news the same way cancer researchers like Ramaswamy do. “I try to approach all new findings with both a healthy dose of skepticism as well as excitement that these might be important new results,” he says. “Cancer is a pretty complex disease. Unfortunately, if it sounds too good to be true, many times it usually is.”