Binding: Paperback
Description: In 1961 John F. Kennedy pledged to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. Nine years later Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon. Ten years later Richard Nixon echoed this pledge by declaring a 'war on cancer. More than 30 years later however cancer remains one of the largest causes of death worldwide with around 1 in 3 developing the disease. Curing cancer is not 'rocket science' but the question is why has cancer proved to be harder to tackle than the moon landings turned out to be? Cancer research is a major economic activity. There are constant improvements in treatment techniques that result in better cure rates and increased quality and quantity of life for those with the disease yet stories of breakthroughs in a cure for cancer are often in the media. In this Very Short Introduction Nick James founder of the Cancer Help UK website examines the trends in diagnosis and treatment of the disease as well as its economic consequences. Asking what cancer is and what causes it he considers issues surrounding expensive drug development what can be done to reduce the risk of developing cancer and the use of complementary and alternative therapies. About THE Series: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket - sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts analysis perspective new ideas and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Title: Cancer: A Very Short Introduction
Author(s): James Nick (Professor Of Clinical Oncology At The University Of Birmingham)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Barcode: 9780199560233
Pages: 160 Pages, 15 Black And White Halftones
Publication Date: 7/1/2011
Series: Very Short Introductions
Category: Popular Medicine & Health