Cancer

Cancer: Medicine’s Greatest Challenge

Cancer is not one but a collection of diseases that account for more than half a million deaths in the United States and more than 7 million deaths worldwide each year. All cancers have one thing in common—uncontrolled cell growth. Unlike diseases caused by invading bacteria or viruses, cancer occurs when our own cells are transformed into tumors that damage and disrupt the body’s normal functions. This makes cancer one of medicine’s greatest challenges. Understanding cancer means understanding the vast, complex machinery of human cells, from their genetic blueprints to their interactions with other cells and tissues.