But when it came to tracking down information that could potentially save a life, I hit one obstacle after another. It's been more than 25 years since Richard Nixon declared war on cancer. And while there have been tremendous strides, the first-line chemotherapy treatment for colon cancer is a drug that was developed in the 1950's. I hope that more money government and private can be devoted to cancer research. If we can put Sojourner on Mars, we can come up with something that keeps cancer from destroying so many lives.
People talk a lot about fighting it psychologically.
I think you have to have hope and a fighting spirit. On the other hand, this idea that people who survive cancer are stronger willed or more motivated or have a greater desire to live is really unfair to people who don't beat it. I think cancer, frankly, comes down to biology and luck. The cemeteries are full of people who wanted to live more than anything and couldn't. I'm thrilled for people who beat it, because I know they've been to hell and back.