Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope – Innovative Exhibition at the London Science Museum Summer 2022
A new exhibition chronicling how science is transforming cancer care opened at the Science Museum in London this summer.
Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation and hope is the world’s first major exhibition to reveal the past, present and future of how cancer is prevented, detected and treated. Through more than 100 objects and personal accounts, the exhibition brings to life the stories of people affected by cancer, together with those who study and treat it. The exhibition uses research to help tell this story of scientific progress from breakthroughs of the last few decades that have already transformed cancer treatment, to our cutting-edge research seeking to understand and overcome cancer evolution
There's this perception that cancer is a modern disease, and very uniquely human, and that leads to a lot of people blaming themselves when they're diagnosed: "What have I done?" But cancer affects all multicellular life. It's a disease of cells and unfortunately when cells divide, on occasion, that process goes wrong.
The statistic that 40% of the US population will receive a cancer diagnosis is staggering. As cancer rehab therapists, we have encountered many people who feel alone and isolated in their cancer diagnosis and will ask questions like this: "Is this my fault?" "What did I do?" "What should I have done differently?" This exhibit shows that cancer isn't anyone's fault and we hope that this article helps people to feel they are not alone in their diagnoses and to help reduce their thoughts of shame or guilt.
As therapists, our role is to help in the healing process and reduce negative side effects of cancer treatment. It's a marvel to see how much cancer treatment and research have evolved. It gives us hope that future advancements will continue to mitigate these side effects and ultimately cure cancer.