Summary
With more than 10 million new cases every year, cancer has become one of the most devastating diseases worldwide. The causes and types of cancer vary in different geographical regions, but in most countries there is hardly a family without a cancer victim. The disease burden is immense, not only for affected individuals but also for their relatives and friends. At the community level, cancer poses considerable challenges for the health care systems in poor and rich countries alike. World Cancer Report provides a unique global view of cancer. It documents the frequency of cancer in different countries and trends in cancer incidence and mortality as well as describing the known causes of human cancer. The molecular and cellular basis of the multi-step process of malignant transformation is concisely summarized. The report contains an overview of cancer prevention, including screening programmes for early diagnosis, as well as advances in surgical and medical oncology, including novel drugs targeting tumour-specific signalling pathways. The efforts of the World Health Organisation in the fight against cancer are detailed, together with strategies for cancer control. World Cancer Report provides a comprehensive overview of cancer for all health care professionals and the general reader. Information is presented concisely, with more than 500 colour photographs, diagrams and tables. Cancer is a devastating disease - but largely preventable. Its impact can be reduced through basic research and improvements in treatment and care. World Cancer Report presents opportunities for action at the individual, community and national level. "The global burden of cancer continues to increase. In the year 2000, 5.3 million men and 4.7 million women developed a malignant tumour and 6.2 million died from the disease. The number of new cases is expected to grow by 50% over the next 20 years to reach 15 million by 2020." -- Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General, World Health Organization