I don’t think that’s lunacy. Lots of money in cancer. Find a cure and a LOT of people are going to be out a LOT of MONEY, especially drug companies.
Even more money in cancer research.
Fund cures, not research. This could be done by establishing a private or gov't reward fund of say, $20 billion for whoever finds the "cure for cancer," however that's defined.
Then sit back and wait for the cure.