What is Cancer? In their seminal paper, Davies and Lineweaver (2011) developed a new theory of cancerous tumors. Until now, most research has focused on cancer as a human disease, but tumors are also widespread among animals and plants, suggesting that they have deep evolutionary roots. Indeed, cancer is such a formidable adversary because it is a fundamental part of the story of life itself. About 600 million years ago, there appeared a riot of modern-looking metazoan (the multi-celled creatures that make up the bulk of the animal kingdom), with many specialized cell types and organisms. But this explosion did not happen in a vacuum; hundreds of millions of years before, there were precursors: clumps of semi-organized cells forming robust tumor-like forms. As Davies and Lineweaver emphasized, cancer-like Aging must be accepted as a part of life. In this monograph, the mutual interactions between cancer and the host body are studied. The point of view that these interactions are mediated by human consciousness is presented. The monograph consists of six chapters. Chapter 1, “Overview of the research,” presents the contemporary status of the relationship between cancer and consciousness. Chapter 2, “Quantum mechanics and life,” explains how quantum mechanics helps in understanding life phenomena, including cancer. Chapter 3, “Stress and cancer life,” is devoted to the presentation of the possible root of cancer, namely stress, which dominates human life. Although the term 'cancer' refers to undisciplined and uncontrollable cellular growth, a basal cell carcinoma of the skin is quite different from adenocarcinoma of the lung, the prostate, the breast, or even of brain tumors, lymphomas, leukaemias and other malignancies. These all differ markedly with respect to growth rates, metastatic tendencies, and sensitivity to neuroendocrine or immune system influences, particularly those that might be modulated by stress. There are critical concerns in determining exactly how long a cancer has been present. If a lump in the breast is found to be malignant, when did the cancer start? Was it there a month, six months, or years before clinical detection? Such information would be crucial in establishing any temporal relationship with antecedent. The remaining three chapters have a more technical character, and are devoted to the presentation of new results from the investigation of the nature of cancer. Chapter 4, “The electrical properties of cancer tumor cells,” presents results concerning the physical properties of tumor cells. Chapter 5, “Classical description of tumor life: Boltzmann equation for tumor cancer evolution,” presents the approach that treats cancer as a physical object. The new Boltzmann transport equation for tumor cell movement in the host body is formulated and solved. In this way, light is shed and inroads are made into answering the questions posed in Chapter 3 and beyond. Chapter 6, “Quantum mechanics and cancer,” presents the quantum theory of brain waves and their possible influence on cancer proliferation. Electroencephalogram (EEG) waves may reflect more than the noise of the machinery of the brain; they may possibly represent signals being sent to other parts of the body. Since it is possible to move a cursor on a computer screen solely through deep concentration, it does not seem unreasonable to postulate that mental activities could also affect activities in the body that are sensitive to the chemical/molecular concept of communication at a physical/atomic model. Such a paradigm might explain not only regression or spontaneous remission of cancer in patients with a strong level of natural determination, but also the placebo effect, faith healing, ‘therapeutic touch,’ psychokinesis, telepathy, and other widely acknowledged but poorly understood concepts. How can one explain the numerous well-documented cases of spontaneous remission of cancer? Careful studies of such patients suggest that a firm faith and a strong positive belief system are the most common themes. There are numerous reports of cancer regression through the use of various stress-reducing or mind-altering techniques, including intense meditation, visual imagery, and hypnosis. Yet, like spontaneous remission, all of these cures are extremely rare, and the benefits are entirely unpredictable in any given patient. Here again, having a strong faith in something would provide a sense of control and might offer the best explanation. But how are the salutary rewards of faith healing, ‘therapeutic touch,’ and the placebo effect mediated? Is there such a thing as psychic healing? How can one explain the well-documented benefits associated with the development of strong social support in patients with cancer and other illnesses? Conversely, what are the mechanisms involved in the numerous reports of reactivation of dormant cancer following an extremely stressful event, particularly sudden loss? No consistent immune, neuroendocrine, or central nervous system (CNS) changes have been demonstrated in connection with such effects. Could the answer lie in some latent energy force? Adey (1992) reported that certain frequency bands between 15 and 60 Hz have been found to alter cell protein synthesis, mRNA functions, immune responses, and intercellular communication. Is it possible to learn how to harness this energy force?

It has been recognized for almost 200 years that certain families seem to inherit cancer. It is only in the past decade, however, that molecular genetics and epidemiology have combined to define the role of inheritance in cancer more clearly, and to identify some of the genes involved. The causative genes can be tracked through cancer-prone families via genetic linkage and positional cloning. Several of the genes discovered have subsequently been proved to play critical roles in normal growth and development. There are also implications for the families themselves in terms of genetic testing with its attendant dilemmas, if it is not clear that useful action will result. The chapters in The Genetics of Cancer illustrate what has already been achieved and take a critical look at the future directions of this research and its potential clinical applications.

Cancer care today often provides state-of-the-science biomedical treatment, but fails to address the psychological and social (psychosocial) problems associated with the illness. This failure can compromise the effectiveness of health care and thereby adversely affect the health of cancer patients. Psychological and social problems created or exacerbated by cancer-including depression and other emotional problems; lack of information or skills needed to manage the illness; lack of transportation or other resources; and disruptions in work, school, and family life-cause additional suffering, weaken adherence to prescribed treatments, and threaten patients' return to health. Today, it is not possible to deliver high-quality cancer care without using existing approaches, tools, and resources to address patients' psychosocial health needs. All patients with cancer and their families should expect and receive cancer care that ensures the provision of appropriate psychosocial health services. Cancer Care for the Whole Patient recommends actions that oncology providers, health policy makers, educators, health insurers, health planners, researchers and research sponsors, and consumer advocates should undertake to ensure that this standard is met.

Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine, Ninth Edition, offers a balanced view of the most current knowledge of cancer science and clinical oncology practice. This all-new edition is the consummate reference source for medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, internists, surgical oncologists, and others who treat cancer patients. A translational perspective throughout, integrating cancer biology with cancer management providing an in depth understanding of the disease An emphasis on multidisciplinary, research-driven patient care to improve outcomes and optimal use of all appropriate therapies Cutting-edge coverage of personalized cancer care, including molecular diagnostics and therapeutics Concise, readable, clinically relevant text with algorithms, guidelines and insight into the use of both conventional and novel drugs Includes free access to the Wiley Digital Edition providing search across the book, the full reference list with web links, illustrations and photographs, and post-publication updates

This report considers the biological and behavioral mechanisms that may underlie the pathogenicity of tobacco smoke. Many Surgeon General's reports have considered research findings on mechanisms in assessing the biological plausibility of associations observed in epidemiologic studies. Mechanisms of disease are important because they may provide plausibility, which is one of the guideline criteria for assessing evidence on causation. This report specifically reviews the evidence on the potential mechanisms by which smoking causes diseases and considers whether a mechanism is likely to be operative in the production of human disease by tobacco smoke. This evidence is relevant to understanding how smoking causes disease, to identifying those who may be particularly susceptible, and to assessing the potential risks of tobacco products.

Ecology and Evolution of Cancer is a timely work outlining ideas that not only represent a substantial and original contribution to the fields of evolution, ecology, and cancer, but also goes beyond by connecting the interfaces of these disciplines. This work engages the expertise of a multidisciplinary research team to collate and review the latest knowledge and developments in this exciting research field. The evolutionary perspective of cancer has gained significant international recognition and interest, which is fully understandable given that somatic cellular selection and evolution are elegant explanations for carcinogenesis. Cancer is now generally accepted to be an evolutionary and ecological process with complex interactions between tumor cells and their environment sharing many similarities with organismal evolution. As a critical contribution to this field of research the book is important and relevant for the applications of evolutionary biology to understand the origin of cancers, to control neoplastic progression, and to prevent therapeutic failures. - Covers all aspects of the evolution of cancer, appealing to researchers seeking to understand its origins and effects of treatments on its progression, as well as to lecturers in evolutionary medicine - Functions as both an introduction to cancer and evolution and a review of the current research on this burgeoning, exciting field, presented by an international group of leading editors and contributors - Improves understanding of the origin and the evolution of cancer, aiding efforts to determine how this disease interferes with biotic interactions that govern ecosystems - Highlights research that intends to apply evolutionary principles to help predict emergence and metastatic progression with the aim of improving therapies

This book explores in depth the relation between physical activity and cancer control, including primary prevention, coping with treatments, recovery after treatments, long-term survivorship, secondary prevention, and survival. The first part of the book presents the most recent research on the impact of physical activity in preventing a range of cancers. In the second part, the association between physical activity and cancer survivorship is addressed. The effects of physical activity on supportive care endpoints (e.g., quality of life, fatigue, physical functioning) and disease endpoints (e.g., biomarkers, recurrence, survival) are carefully analyzed. In addition, the determinants of physical activity in cancer survivors are discussed, and behavior change strategies for increasing physical activity in cancer survivors are appraised. The final part of the book is devoted to special topics, including the relation of physical activity to pediatric cancer survivorship and to palliative cancer care.

This is a revised and updated edition of a text used in undergraduate courses on cancer biology. It covers everything from the molecular basis of cancer to clinical aspects of the subject, and has a lengthy bibliography designed to assist newcomers with the cancer literature. An introduction acquaints students with the biological principles of cancer and the human dimensions of the disease by considering genuine cases of cancer in fictionalized letters. Other chapters discuss cancer pathology, metastasis, carcinogenesis, genetics, oncogenes and tumor suppressors, epidemiology, and the biological basis of cancer treatment. Also included are an appendix with descriptions of common forms of cancer, a glossary of cancer-related terms and colour plates to illustrate the pathology of many of the types of cancer discussed in the text. Upper-division undergraduates with a background in freshman biology and chemistry, as well as beginning graduate students will find this a valuable text.