A top pulmonologist reviews advancements in the 'War on Cancer' over the past 50 years

NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Dr. Robert A. Winn about the progress the United States has made in treating cancer. SCOTT SIMON, HOST: 1971, President Richard Nixon declared a war on cancer and signed the National Cancer Act. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) RICHARD NIXON: For those who have cancer and who are looking for success in this field, they at least can have the assurance that everything that can be done by government, everything that can be done by voluntary agencies in this great, powerful, rich country now will be done. SIMON: That created the National Cancer Institute, which researches treatments for one of the world's most deadly diseases. More than 50 years later, a number of new medicines could signal real breakthroughs. There's a drug that may dramatically increase survival rates for pancreatic cancer. There are personalized vaccines that could turbocharge immunotherapy. There's even a chewing gum that could reduce the bacteria that causes HPV-related cancer. But how hopeful should we be about these new treatments? Dr. Robert A. Winn is director of the Virginia Commonwealth University's Massey Cancer Center and soon to be director of the Fox Chase Cancer Center. Dr. Winn, thanks so much for being with us. ROBERT A WINN: Well, thank you for having me. SIMON: You might get this question every day. …