So Cuba has more then likely had a lung cancer vaccine for years

[Gorgodeus]

Its cuba, theyre likely just pain killers so nobody notices they died of smoking

You should not underestimate other countries such as Cuba in regards to their medical/health capabilities.

Cuba has a lower infant mortality rate (5.3 per thousand) than both Canada (5.5) and the U.S. (8.26).

The life expectancy in Cuba (78.6 years) is higher than in the U.S (77.9 years).

Cuba is a poor country which has placed its priorities in the right places, which is to say, in education and health services. It is a socialist country that offers complete free education and health care to all citizens. That is why these two sectors are particularly well-developed and may be the envy of many developed countries.

http://www.healthservicecuba.com/cuba-medical-services/

[Deleted]

If you read all the info available, you will see that it not only stops the growth of cancer cells in patients already afflicted, but also prevents the cancer from occurring in non-cancer patients. While it might not be a true cure, it is as close as one can get otherwise. Considering it only costs the Cuban gov't $1 per dose, I would say it looks like a very remarkable development. This is assuming that it is as good as the claims so far indicate.

NO, it is proposed that it might possibly do this. How it works is by interfering with a growth factor that in some cases is utilised by a malignant mass. It is unclear whether this would also block that growth factor working in healthy normal processes.

Probably the first real benefit we will see from this type of vaccine is that once they are trialled in earlier stages of cancer they will have longer to look at longer term effects. They may then eventually form the basis of front line treatments in some cancers that often remit and relapse.

[Stormdash]

It's comical to me how many people even consider that this story is actually true. For a reasonable person, it should be as plausible on its face as cover articles of the Weekly World News about Bat Boy.

[Spectral]

It's comical to me how many people even consider that this story is actually true. For a reasonable person, it should be as plausible on its face as cover articles of the Weekly World News about Bat Boy.

I think you're underestimating the power of motivated reasoning. If you really, really hate capitalism and have bought into conspiracy theories about the evils of Big Pharma, and just generally kind of dislike the US, the appeal of validating these ideas with a story like this must be very strong indeed.

Let's not be the flip side of that coin though - it could be true. It's probably not, because our default reaction to any claims of effective cancer vaccines should be, "it probably won't work", but it's not impossible by any means.

[Deleted]

You know what I hate? People that dismiss something that could easily benefit humanity based on the fact that it's a country they consider to be bad. Newsflash, there are humans living there too, and, you might be surprised by this, they're actually as smart as the average humans living anywhere.

This is how when the Spanish got to America they thought of the locals as savages... yet the Inca Empire had a system in place where if a region had a bad time due to drought, famine etc, other regions would support it, a system which did not really exist in Europe where the capital region got most of the wealth no matter what.

This is not an article about North Korea that prided itself on things that were proven to be wrong. This is something about a country I've never heard to brag about mostly anything. And you know what? I hope it's true. Not for Cuba, but all those people with lung cancer which could benefit off this a lot.

[Spectral]

You know what I hate? People that dismiss something that could easily benefit humanity based on the fact that it's a country they consider to be bad. Newsflash, there are humans living there too, and, you might be surprised by this, they're actually as smart as the average humans living anywhere.

Personally, I'm not dismissing this because I don't like Cuba (I don't much care about it), but because it's just an unlikely claim for a few reasons that should be pretty obvious:
1) Cancer vaccines are hard to develop and generally don't work. As such, our default reaction to a claim that one does should be, "cool, let's hope the long-term evidence bares that out", not, "yay, problem solved!".
2) Cuba's a small, poor country that does not have substantial resources for research. This doesn't mean they would never, ever develop anything, but that we should adjust the Bayesian odds of them coming up with an expensive, hard to develop treatment down to being pretty low when it's something that's also being worked on by research powerhouses like the US, Japan, and Germany.
3) The evidence for the claim is pretty thin.

[Stormdash]

I think you're underestimating the power of motivated reasoning. If you really, really hate capitalism and have bought into conspiracy theories about the evils of Big Pharma, and just generally kind of dislike the US, the appeal of validating these ideas with a story like this must be very strong indeed.

Let's not be the flip side of that coin though - it could be true. It's probably not, because our default reaction to any claims of effective cancer vaccines should be, "it probably won't work", but it's not impossible by any means.

In fairness, Bat Boy could be true, too. But I know where the "show me" burden falls in that as in this. The real thing would have been used for agitprop and direct extortion for years and pretty much immediately after it had been proven credible. The Castros would have been lording it over the ugly Americans immediately and without relent. They'd have very publicly flown in health ministers from every western country that still had ties with them to observe their studies and results. It wouldn't be "oh by the way" several years after the "fact".

[Fullmetal89]

There is no 'vaccine' for cancer. This is one of the most idiotic things I've heard in years. It's amazing how people buy into Cuba's communist propaganda. If it was such a remarkable little country with great healthcare, it's inhabitants wouldn't be fleeing for their lives in poorly made ships. This reminds me, during spring break I was in Key Largo. We went fishing and no joke saw a Cuban refuge raft floating just outside the inlet to the bay area. It had been picked up by the coast guards even had a GPS buoy tied on. But yeah, they've had a cure for lung cancer for years *rollseyes*.

[Deleted]

Personally, I'm not dismissing this because I don't like Cuba (I don't much care about it), but because it's just an unlikely claim for a few reasons that should be pretty obvious:
1) Cancer vaccines are hard to develop and generally don't work. As such, our default reaction to a claim that one does should be, "cool, let's hope the long-term evidence bares that out", not, "yay, problem solved!".
2) Cuba's a small, poor country that does not have substantial resources for research. This doesn't mean they would never, ever develop anything, but that we should adjust the Bayesian odds of them coming up with an expensive, hard to develop treatment down to being pretty low when it's something that's also being worked on by research powerhouses like the US, Japan, and Germany.
3) The evidence for the claim is pretty thin.

they invested a tonne into immunology and associated sciences in the '80s

[Common Sense]

I think you're underestimating the power of motivated reasoning. If you really, really hate capitalism and have bought into conspiracy theories about the evils of Big Pharma, and just generally kind of dislike the US, the appeal of validating these ideas with a story like this must be very strong indeed.

Let's not be the flip side of that coin though - it could be true. It's probably not, because our default reaction to any claims of effective cancer vaccines should be, "it probably won't work", but it's not impossible by any means.

I love the US and despise conspiracy theorists, but Big Pharma doesn't give a damn about anything but profits. Just look up the little goldmine they've struck by selling HIV meds as preventatives (rather than the infinitely cheaper condom option) and taking advantage of the sluttier sector of the gay community.

On-topic: It sounds a little too good to be true, but, regardless, any progress is good. Thanks Obama!

[Deleted]

There is no 'vaccine' for cancer. This is one of the most idiotic things I've heard in years. It's amazing how people buy into Cuba's communist propaganda. If it was such a remarkable little country with great healthcare, it's inhabitants wouldn't be fleeing for their lives in poorly made ships. This reminds me, during spring break I was in Key Largo. We went fishing and no joke saw a Cuban refuge raft floating just outside the inlet to the bay area. It had been picked up by the coast guards even had a GPS buoy tied on. But yeah, they've had a cure for lung cancer for years *rollseyes*.

read the thread, a "vaccine" is not what you think a "vaccine" is in this case

[imabanana]

Aaaaah, I wondered why so many countries suddenly became "more friendly" with Cuba. (especially Obama and a few days ago French president)

Makes more sense now.

[Stormdash]

Aaaaah, I wondered why so many countries suddenly became "more friendly" with Cuba. (especially Obama and a few days ago French president)

Makes more sense now.

Ideological motivations that have nothing whatsoever to do with dubious claims of cancer research breakthroughs.

[Spectral]

I love the US and despise conspiracy theorists, but Big Pharma doesn't give a damn about anything but profits.

Indeed, which is why we'd reasonably expect them to be much better at developing a treatment for any given disease than less motivated organizations.

Just look up the little goldmine they've struck by selling HIV meds as preventatives (rather than the infinitely cheaper condom option) and taking advantage of the sluttier sector of the gay community.

There's demand for a product, so they made it.

[Waaldo]

surely it will cause autism...

[Mihalik]

If you actually research the vaccine it's not a miracle drug. Really it is anti-body stimulant. Also it's effectiveness is tied to age and a number of other factors.

Grats on Cuba.

[Deleted]

There is no 'vaccine' for cancer. This is one of the most idiotic things I've heard in years. It's amazing how people buy into Cuba's communist propaganda. If it was such a remarkable little country with great healthcare, it's inhabitants wouldn't be fleeing for their lives in poorly made ships. This reminds me, during spring break I was in Key Largo. We went fishing and no joke saw a Cuban refuge raft floating just outside the inlet to the bay area. It had been picked up by the coast guards even had a GPS buoy tied on. But yeah, they've had a cure for lung cancer for years *rollseyes*.

How can Americans go into Space? The Rockets have no cup Holders and the Doors are to narrow for Americans, who are so Fat they need Scooters to go shopping.
This is how stupid your comment is.

1. Cuba is renowned Worldwide for the Skill of its Doctors.
2. Cuba provides more Medical Workers to the developing countries then the G8 Countries.
3. Cuba is renowned for it's Medical Tourism.
4.Cuba has made Breakthroughs in Medical Research even prior to this. in the 90's when the US was suffering from a Outbreak from Meningitis B. The U.S. Treasury Department granted a license SmithKline Beecham to allow it to negociate with Cuba for the Vaccine.
5. It is not a Vaccine. Think of it like the Rabies vaccine. It is administered once you have the illness. It does not prevent cancer. It is used to stop it from growing.

[Kasierith]

There are about a dozen major research organizations in pharm right now. The market is relatively well divided, though four have the most hefty shares of the market in terms of products. The idea that one of them would find a way to undercut the profits and research of others but wouldn't do so because [insert big pharm conspiracy theory here] is pretty laughable, and mostly just represents a lack of knowledge of modern pharmaceutical research.

Because it's not like they couldn't do "ok, every smoker in the entire country should have this cheap 20 dollar vaccine that is covered by insurance."

[Independent voter]

Cuba's big export is cigars/tobacco. Seems obvious why they would invent a lung cancer vaccine. Even if it doesn't work, it will help sales.

[Wildtree]

The thread stands witness of the excellent job the cold war propaganda did/does.....