It is true that there have been huge advances in some cancer treatments, including breast and blood cancers. But the majority of cancer deaths are from so-called ‘rare’ cancers. Such cancers, individually, account for a relatively small number of deaths. But together, they account for the majority of cancer-related fatalities. Indeed, one in six of us will die from a so-called ‘rare cancer’.

There have been few advances in most of them. And for many there simply are no treatments, other than the surgeon’s knife.

In many cases, going through standard procedures, when the standard procedures are ineffective is a painful demonstration of Einstein’s theory of insanity – doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.