The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of a discussion within contemporary cancer research. This discussion is based upon the existence of a hegemonic and paradigmatic model, and an alternative that is grounded on differing conceptions of biology and research methodologies and seeks to challenge the illness conception and type of research of the previous. Departing from Ludwik Fleck's theoretical and conceptual framework on medical knowledge, namely the concepts of collectives and styles of thought, it is intended to show that this current alternative is qualified to dispute this longstanding hegemony. Taking into consideration that both models have an origin and progression of their own, it is intended to establish a discussion on how certain types of knowledge become dominant at a certain moment and simultaneously analyze the scientific, economical and political implications embedded within the debate.
cancer; research; styles and collectives of thought; SMT; TOF