Economist Podcasts The smaller C: progress in beating cancer
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Jul 23, 2025 
Slovea Cankova, Healthcare correspondent for The Economist, and Tom Nuttall, Berlin bureau chief for The Economist, dive into the paradox of rising cancer rates amid medical advancements. They discuss breakthroughs in treatment, the importance of early detection, and the challenges in cancer research funding. On a different note, they explore how economic pressures affect the food industry, spotlighting Kraft Heinz's struggles and the intertwining of sports and politics in Germany, particularly with far-right influences in football.
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Cancer Deaths vs Mortality Rates
- Cancer deaths are rising due to aging populations but within age groups mortality rates are falling.
- Major mortality reductions come from smoking prevention, better screening, and treatment advances.
Cancer Causes: Half Known
- Half of cancer cases have known causes like smoking and genetics; the other half remain unexplained.
- This uncertainty complicates prevention and risk identification for many cancers.
Cancer Research's Political Challenge
- Cancer research often requires long-term trials, making political funding challenging.
- Most investment focuses on treatments rather than prevention, despite prevention's greater impact.