Occurrence of cancer

Cancer has been present throughout human history. Egyptian and Incan mummies show evidence of the disorder. Greek physicians described it, and Hippocrates provided its name. However, accurate information regarding the occurrence of cancer has been captured only within the last century.
Cancer has an impact on individuals, families, and our society as a whole. This impact can be measured in multiple ways. At current rates, approximately one in two men and one in three women will develop cancer in their lifetimes.
Population research contributes to our understanding of cancer at many levels. Certain fundamental concepts such as individual risk, survival, and population attributable risk are measurable only in populations, not in individuals. Population-based statistics regarding cancer incidence, mortality, and survival are essential for identifying high-risk populations, monitoring progress against disease, developing cancer control programs, and assessing program needs for patient services.