Cancer with Robin Scheffler
Episode 62 - May 20, 2021
Robin Scheffler (MIT) joins the Infectious Historians to discuss his recent book on cancer. Robin begins the interview with a broad discussion of cancer and the different ways it was perceived and conceptualized over the past century. The discussion touches upon topics such as the so-called “war” on cancer and its meaning; cancer and gender; some of the trends and individuals involved in cancer research; and finally, government involvement in cancer research and some of the factors that influence it.
Further Reading
- 2019. Robin Wolfe Scheffler, “Protecting children: the American turn from polio to cancer vaccines”, Canadian Medical Association Journal 191 (26).
- 2019. Robin Wolfe Scheffler, “The Search for Cancer Viruses”, U.S National Library of Medicine: Circulating Now.
- 2017. Athena Aktipis, “Why Cancer Isn’t Going Anywhere”, Slate.
- 2014. David Cantor, “Cartoons, Comedy, and Cancer in 1952”, .S National Library of Medicine: Circulating Now.
Our Guest
Robin Scheffler,
Associate Professor of Science, Technology, and Society (STS) – Massachusetts Institute of Technology