Sylvie Beljanski grew up hating her parents’ scientific careers, feeling alone and less loved because of their dedication and commitment to their work. She grew up to become a lawyer, not wanting any part of her father’s research into the relationship between DNA and cancer, and into potential natural cancer cures. But when her father’s laboratory was raided, and he arrested, by the French government, she became determined to save both him and his work, and has done her best since to have his research reviewed, validated, tested and published, and the resulting potential cures made available to the public. This is the story of her efforts to do so, and of the potential her father’s work offers to finally, hopefully, make real strides in the war against cancer.
WINNING THE WAR ON CANCER, at least for the first two-thirds of the book, reads more like a medical research thriller than a nonfiction book. Ms. Beljanski’s story, and her parents’, is an emotional roller-coaster ride of love, loss, dedication to a cause, and battles against corrupt and venial governments. (This isn’t to say it’s not true, just that it’s exciting to read.) Naturally, the story is told from her perspective and her point of view, and she does have a distinct agenda – however, that agenda is backed up by peer-reviewed scientific research and substantial evidence, which is encouraging. She does have a tendency to view her cause in black-and-white, good vs. evil terms (with some justification, given her family history). For example, she seems to assume that the only or main reason pharmaceutical companies seek to synthesize and/or isolate natural compounds is so that they can patent and profit from them, rather than, say, to ensure consistent and reliable dosage, or to keep a supply available in case – as with the Pao pereira in her own story – the natural resources on which the cure is dependent become endangered or unavailable. However, there is solid substance here, and she is able to communicate the value of her father’s work (and her own) in clear, energetic, and readable language. She also includes helpful appendices with further information, references, resources, and endnotes for the reader who wishes to investigate further.
WINNING THE WAR ON CANCER is both a lively and engaging read and a work of scientific advocacy that offers some hope of at least making progress towards the promise in its title.
~Catherine Langrehr for IndieReader