The fight against cancer can be an example for fight against terror

We usually write about issues related to cancer, and this article is about an issue that’s metaphorically related to cancer: terrorism.

Just a few decades ago, the word “cancer” struck terror in the hearts and minds of most people because it was largely unknown, usually deadly and could strike indiscriminately out of nowhere.

Just like terrorism today.

But whereas the incidence of and mortality from some cancers is on the decline, the frequency and deadliness of terrorism seems to be on the increase.

{mosads}There seem to be few days when we are not shocked by horrific news reports from around the world about senseless killings of innocent people perpetuated through bombings, gunfire or vehicular violence by those with terroristic, twisted or psychopathic agendas.

By definition, terrorism is the use or threatened use of violence to achieve a political, religious or ideological aim, and just the possibility of encountering a terrorist attack can serve as a deterrent for many of us wanting to live our lives with some semblance of peace and tranquility.

This was not unlike not too long ago, when few things invoked more terror than the phrase “You have cancer.”

This was certainly the case in the late 1970s when co-author Nancy Brinker’s sister, Susan G. Komen, was diagnosed with breast cancer and lost her life a few years later.

Nancy made a promise to Suzy that she would do everything she could to end the dreaded disease, and with the founding of Suzy’s namesake organization in 1982, a new era in cancer awareness, education, fundraising and support for research was launched along with the advocacy efforts of other groups.

Over the years, various wars have been waged against cancer, with many battles won, including a greater understanding of its mechanism, an enhanced armamentarium of therapies, a more serious approach to prevention and more attention paid to quality-of-life issues.

And with increased outreach efforts and support, the public has begun to realize that millions are now surviving cancer and the terror of every diagnosis has started to subside as hope has emerged through scientific and medical advances.

But unfortunately, that has not been the case with terrorism, often but not always the result of zealous jihadists or disgruntled individuals inured to the universal morality of respecting the lives of others.

We wish we could offer some solid and immediate solutions to the fear and uncertainty that now permeates all societies.

However, we do know that while other forms of terrorism have lessened, there’s still hope that history can repeat itself, and that the violence that’s metastasizing throughout the world will not deter the rest of us from trying to live our lives without constant fear.

Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen, the world’s largest breast cancer charity, was previously a Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control to the U.N.’s World Health Organization; U.S. chief of protocol; and U.S. ambassador to Hungary. She is now continuing her work in media and consulting. Rosenthal is an independent journalist who covers issues, controversies and trends in oncology as special correspondent for MedPage Today. He is the founder of the National Cancer Institute Designated Cancer Centers Public Affairs Network and helped organize a number of national medicine-and-the-media conferences. The opinions expressed belong solely to the authors.

This piece was revised on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 12:16 p.m.

The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.