Every year on World Cancer Day (4 February), people around the world pause to reflect on the impact of cancer, honour those affected, and ask an important question: why, after decades of research and medical progress, don’t we have a cure for cancer yet?

It’s a fair question – and one we hear often. With new treatments, advanced technology, and increased global focus on cancer research, it can feel like a cure should be within reach. The reality, however, is more complex.

The simple answer is that cancer isn’t one disease. It’s a complex group of thousands of different diseases, each behaving in its own way in people who are all unique. That includes Below the Belt cancers such as prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular and penile cancers, all of which develop differently and respond to treatments in different ways.

Unlike infections that can be treated with a single vaccine or medication, cancer starts within our own cells. Changes (called mutations) cause normal cells to grow out of control. These changes aren’t the same for everyone. Even two people with the same cancer diagnosis can have very different disease pathways, which is why a “one-size-fits-all” cure isn’t possible.

To make things even more complicated, cancer can change over time. Cancer cells are clever and adaptable. They can learn to resist treatments, spread to other parts of the body, and evolve in ways that make them harder to treat. This is especially true in advanced or aggressive Below the Belt cancers.

Even within a single cancer type, there can be many subtypes. For example, kidney cancer includes several distinct forms, each requiring tailored treatment. The same is true for prostate and bladder cancers, where treatment decisions increasingly depend on the biology of an individual’s tumour.

While we may not yet have a universal cure, progress is happening every day. Clinical trials are leading to more targeted treatments, fewer side effects, and better quality of life. Many people are now living longer (and living well) with cancer.

Importantly, while there may never be a single cure for cancer, there are powerful ways to reduce its impact. Staying informed, knowing our bodies, and making healthy lifestyle choices all play a role. Just as critically, research-driven care and early detection continue to save lives and improve outcomes every day.

On World Cancer Day, it’s a reminder that progress doesn’t come from one breakthrough alone – it comes from sustained research, better understanding, and continued action.

Learn more about Below the Belt cancers here.