{"id":14728,"date":"2024-08-13T21:18:57","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T11:18:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rationalemagazine.com\/?p=14728"},"modified":"2024-08-13T21:18:57","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T11:18:57","slug":"from-my-brush-with-breast-cancer-i-know-the-value-of-science-and-the-need-to-defend-it-more-than-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rationalemagazine.com\/index.php\/2024\/08\/13\/from-my-brush-with-breast-cancer-i-know-the-value-of-science-and-the-need-to-defend-it-more-than-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"From my brush with breast cancer, I know the value of science \u2013 and the need to defend it \u2013 more than ever"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article is part of our \u2018Celebrate Science\u2019 feature series to mark National Science Week, 10-18 August 2024.\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Many people are not aware of how profoundly science influences our lives, but I was made very cognisant of its value recently when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Having discovered a lump, I was able to have a Contrast-Enhanced Mammography, involving an intravenous injection of an iodine-based X-ray contrast \u2018dye\u2019. Then I had a new improved ultrasound, unaffected by\u00a0breast\u00a0density and which can find some\u00a0cancers\u00a0not seen on a mammogram.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Next, clinicians were able to use live ultrasound images to guide needles to take samples of my breast tissue precisely where the cancers were \u2013 a much less invasive process than biopsy procedures used in the past. The core samples taken allowed the pathologist to identify exactly what sort of cancer I had. Fortunately, it was a hormone-induced breast cancer, and scientists have developed anti-hormonal tablets which impede the growth of such cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, I had a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan which involved an injection of a radioactive tracer. Positrons emitted by the radioactive tracer collide with nearby electrons, producing gamma rays detected by a PET scanner, which build a 3D image of cancerous tissues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I was fortunate to be able to benefit from this fusion of theoretical and applied sciences such as physics, chemistry, biochemistry, pathology, genetics, medicine, biology, epidemiology, and the technology it gave rise to.<\/span><\/p>\n

My life depended on a complex web of knowledge and expertise developed painstakingly over many decades. Most people are very grateful for these wonderful developments in science and technology, recognising that they are important to our wellbeing and our understanding of the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, some people pick and choose which areas of science they accept and which they reject. Science and scientists have become <\/span>increasingly under attack<\/span><\/a> if they espouse views on topics that some in the community do not want to hear at any cost. Many of these attacks are via social media and are often personal and extremely unpleasant and threatening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The integrity of scientists is disputed, and conspiracy theories abound on how scientists are hiding or distorting the truth. At the same time, fake experts and papers are used to contradict genuine scientific findings.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is very difficult to combat online abuse and to prevent massive vindictive trolling of science online sites. <\/span>The CSIRO reports<\/span><\/a> that the situation is not as bad in Australia as it is in the United States, but we still need to be vigilant and defend science at every opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n

The stakes could not be higher. For example, the <\/span>rise of the anti-vaccination movement<\/span><\/a> has resulted in more people becoming sick and, in some cases, dying as a result of contracting diseases like measles. Then there is the denial of climate change and slogans such as <\/span>Drill, baby drill<\/span><\/i>!<\/span><\/p>\n

I was fortunate to be able to benefit from this fusion of theoretical and applied sciences such as physics, chemistry, biochemistry, pathology, genetics, medicine, biology, epidemiology, and the technology it gave rise to.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It is not easy to tackle science denial because the root cause is often an <\/span>emotionally-based vested interest<\/span><\/a> in believing pseudoscience, fake news and propaganda. Ignorance, prejudice and a reliance on hearsay can make it difficult to recognise that people propound beliefs that dissemble. Even highly educated and highly intelligent people <\/span>are fooled<\/span><\/a> by disinformation and misinformation largely, it seems, because they believe they can easily spot a scam.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what can rational people do to counter anti-science sentiment? First of all, make sure you prime your knowledge of the nature of science, laws of logic, logical fallacies and arguments that debunk some of the most common attacks on the validity of scientific thinking.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are several good websites that provide excellent insights into these issues, including <\/span>The Logic of Science<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>A 360 report<\/span><\/a> produced in collaboration with Australia\u2019s national science agency, the CSIRO, examines current barriers to trust in science and potential solutions for maintaining and strengthening this confidence. One section gives six ways to rebuild confidence in science. The <\/span>Fact Check<\/span><\/a> website has a section called <\/span>SciCheck<\/span><\/i>, which examines claims about topical science issues. <\/span>Metafact<\/span><\/a> is an interesting website where you can state a purported fact and see how many experts agree with it.<\/span><\/p>\n

But bombarding people with scientific facts is not necessarily the best way to convince them to give up a prejudice, belief in pseudoscience, or support for false news and conspiracies. It is hard enough to discard our own prejudices and misconceptions, or to admit that we have been misled or even wrong. It is harder to convince others to do the same, especially if conversations become emotional.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, everyone likes to tell their tale, or give their opinion. So it is important to listen carefully to people who hold such views.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When you are in discussion with someone, you could ask them some key questions, such as the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n