Cancer in America: History, Biology and Social Impact

There were over 1.5 million new diagnoses of invasive cancer in the United States in 2010. While our overall approach to treating this ancient disease is still somewhat rudimentary, current treatment regimens have resulted in nearly two of three patients being cured. Despite this, a diagnosis of cancer remains a life altering event that can forever alter self-image and family dynamics. In this course students will be introduced to the history, basic biology, screening, and public policy of cancer. We will also explore the place that cancer holds in American society and how we, as individuals and society, approach this disease.