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During the 18th century, 3 important observations launched the field of cancer epidemiology (epidemiology is the study of causes, distribution, and control of diseases):
Epidemiologists continue to search for factors that cause cancer (like tobacco use, obesity, ultraviolet radiation), as well as those things that can help protect against cancer (such as physical activity and a healthy diet). This research provides evidence to guide public health recommendations and regulations.
As molecular biologists learn more about how factors cause or prevent cancer, this information is used to study molecular epidemiology, which is the study of interactions between genes and external factors.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as editors and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Contran R, Kumar V, Robbins S. Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease, 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1989.
Devita VT Jr, Rosenberg SA. Two Hundred Years of Cancer Research. N Engl J Med. 2012;366(23):2207-2214.
Diamandopoulus GT. Cancer: An historical perspective. Anticancer Res. 1996;16:1595-1602.
Hajdu SI. A Note From History: Landmarks in History of Cancer, Part 3. Cancer. 2012;118(4):1155-1168.
Hajdu SI. A Note From History: Landmarks in History of Cancer, Part 4. Cancer. 2012;118(20):4914-4928.
Hajdu SI, Darvishian F. A Note From History: Landmarks in History of Cancer, Part 5. Cancer. 2013;119(8):1450-1466.
Hajdu SI, Vadmal M. A Note From History: Landmarks in History of Cancer, Part 6. Cancer. 2013;119(23):4058-4082.
Institut Jules Bordet. The History of Cancer. Accessed at www.bordet.be/en/presentation/history/cancer_e/cancer1.htm on June 8, 2012.
Kardinal C, Yarbro J. A conceptual history of cancer. Semin Oncol. 1979;6:396-408.
Last Revised: June 12, 2014
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