Race for "The Cure"

Factual Questions
1

There are a lot of charitable organizations out there that focus on one single type of cancer (like breast cancer).

My question is - if indeed we did find a cure for breast cancer (or any other specific cancer) would this cure be applicable to all other forms of cancer, or are cancers all different enough that scientists have to focus on/specialize in each kind?

I realize that a lot of the money donated to breast cancer charities goes to awareness, those afflicted with it, families, specialized hospitals, etc. Does money also actually go to science that is actually looking for a cure JUST for breast cancer, or the general “let’s cure cancer fund”?

2

Each type of cancer will need its own specific cure, not just for the type, but for the stage and related complications. There may be some overlap in treatments from one to another, but a “cure” for one will not be likely to translate into a “cure” for another.

As a physician, I am a bit dubious about the term “cure” anyway. What we need are better treatments which will produce more survivors with a better quality of life. The “cure” is the holy grail that is generally not quickly attainable for most chronic disease states.