Losing the "war against cancer": a need for public policy reforms.

Abstract

Editorial note: On February 4, 1992, at a press conference sponsored by a public interest group, Food and Water, Inc., a group of scientists, including Dr. Samuel S. Epstein, presented a statement at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., criticizing the cancer policies of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the American Cancer Society, and some 20 cancer centers. A few days earlier, a commentary on breast cancer by Dr. Epstein questioning the widespread use of mammography was published in the Los Angeles Times. We are pleased to present these statements in the Journal, along with a response from the NCI, a response from the American College of Radiology (ACR), and a rebuttal to these NCI and ACR responses from Dr. Epstein.