Breakthroughs in cancer research: ‘but there is still much to be gained’

Time for MAX On Thursday, November 2, 2023, the event will be entirely dedicated to KWF Cancer Control. In the Netherlands, 1 in 2 people will now be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The chance of survival has increased considerably in recent years, but the impact remains as great. Guests include KWF ambassador Marlijn Weerdenburg. Her father was diagnosed with cancer twice. She wrote a comfort song for him. Professor of Immunology Marjolein van Egmond talks about one of the biggest breakthroughs in cancer research of the past 10 years.

KWF is against cancer and for life. Support KWF, because with your contribution you make life-saving research possible. And you contribute to a better life for people with and after cancer. Call 0800 – 1130 (free) or donate via the website.

More and more people are getting cancer

Recent research shows that more and more people are developing cancer. The risk of cancer has risen in the past 30 years to 47 percent for women and 54 percent for men. According to director Carla van Gils, the KWF mission is more relevant than ever: “These new figures show that cancer affects us all. The impact of cancer is great. On patients, on families, on loved ones. On our entire society. It is therefore extra important that we continue to work for the prevention of cancer, better treatment methods and a better quality of life for cancer patients.”

Singer and presenter Marlijn Weerdenburg knows how big the impact is. “I have experienced firsthand what cancer does. My father was affected by the disease, but fortunately, thanks to the population survey, he is still here,” says Marlijn. In Time for MAX she tells her story and performs.

Cancer research breakthroughs

Much has been achieved in the field of cancer research in recent years. Immunologist Marjolein van Egmond talks in the broadcast about the groundbreaking developments surrounding immunotherapy. This is a therapy in which your own body attacks the cancer cells. It appears to be an effective treatment for more and more patients.

In Time for MAX Pauline’s story (43). In 2017, melanoma, a form of skin cancer, was found on her foot. 5 years later she has metastases in several places in her body. “When I got that news, you really don’t remember it. You cannot imagine the panic you feel if you have not experienced it yourself,” says Pauline. Immunotherapy appears to be an option for her. After just 2 treatments, the cancer is no longer visible on the scans. A year later, Pauline, together with her family, dares to carefully look ahead again.

About KWF

When KWF was founded in 1949, cancer patients had a bleak outlook. Five years after diagnosis, only 25 percent of them were still alive. Now that number has risen to 67 percent. Scientific research is indispensable to make progress in the fight against cancer. Thanks to years of investing in research (worldwide and in the Netherlands), a lot of knowledge is available about what cancer is and how it arises. This has improved the treatment of cancer and its outcome. But there is still much to be gained. KWF is committed to the best treatment for every patient, but also to a better quality of life for (former) cancer patients and their loved ones.

Time for MAX dedicated to KWF and cancer research can be seen on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 5:10 PM at MAX on NPO 1.

KWF is against cancer and for life. Support KWF, because with your contribution you make life-saving research possible. And you contribute to a better life for people with and after cancer. Call 0800 – 1130 (free) or donate via the website.

(Photo: © KWF)