Vinay Prasad on Cancer Drugs, Medical Ethics, and Malignant

In 'Ending Medical Reversal', Drs. Prasad and Cifu delve into the phenomenon of medical reversals, examining why ineffective or harmful practices are adopted and later abandoned. They provide examples such as Vioxx and vertebroplasty, and propose reforms in medical education, research, and drug approval processes to ensure more effective medical practices.

In 'The First Cell,' Azra Raza provides a comprehensive and deeply personal examination of cancer. The book explores the medical, scientific, cultural, and personal aspects of cancer, challenging the current paradigms in cancer treatment. Raza argues for a focus on early detection rather than late-stage treatments, drawing from her decades of clinical practice and her own experiences, including her husband's battle with leukemia. The book intertwines scientific expertise with personal narratives, emphasizing the need for compassion and a patient-centric approach in healthcare. It also delves into the economic and ethical aspects of cancer care, highlighting the disparities in access to treatments and advocating for a radical transformation in how we understand and confront cancer.

In *A Time to Build*, Yuval Levin argues that the social crisis in America is not due to oppressive institutions but rather a lack of trust in them. He advocates for rebuilding and strengthening institutions like families, schools, and churches to foster unity and social cohesion. Levin emphasizes the importance of these institutions in shaping individuals and society, providing a framework for moral improvement and civic engagement.

In 'Malignant', Dr. Vinayak K. Prasad critiques the current state of oncology, highlighting issues such as lax regulatory standards, financial conflicts of interest, and the overemphasis on surrogate endpoints in clinical trials. He argues for reforms to ensure that cancer drugs provide meaningful benefits at lower costs. The book offers insights into how cancer trials are conducted and how drugs are approved, proposing solutions to improve cancer medicine.