2008 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title

The Encyclopedia of Cancer & Society provides a broad picture of cancer as a part of contemporary life in all regions of the world. This public-health perspective with an emphasis on prevention is unique and distinguishes the encyclopedia from other reference works, such as The Gale Encyclopedia of Cancer: A Guide to Cancer and Its Treatments (2d ed., 2005). An excellent addition to academic, health-sciences, and large public libraries.
-Booklist, Starred Review

Since age is the dominant factor that drives cancer risk, the total number of cancer cases diagnosed is expected to double by mid-century. The 750 entries in thei set, written by experts from a variety of disciplines, explore key themes such as known carcinogens, cancer around the world, cancers by type, treatments and therapies, alternative treatments, and the impact of cancer on society. Colditz's (medicine, Washington Univ.) research on breast cancer and hormone treatments is widely cited.
-Library Journal

Each volume contains a listing of articles, a roster with professional affiliations, and a color 'Atlas of Cancer' with well-labeled illustrations. This set also includes a resource guide listing books, journals, and Internet sources that deal with various aspects of cancer. The appendix provides a good statistical overview of cancer rates by race and state, and a glossary is adapted from the National Cancer Institute's online glossary. Although other reference works are available on a wide range of cancer treatments and research topics, this work goes beyond the provisions of information on medical conditions to help readers better understand the impact of behavioral change on cancer prevention. Summing Up: Recommended. All levels.
-CHOICE

We live in a time when the cancer burden is rising globally yet advances in understanding the potential for prevention and the impact of our social structures on the underlying risk of disease rapidly inform strategies to reduce the burden. There is overwhelming evidence that lifestyle factors impact cancer risk and that positive, population-wide changes can significantly reduce the occurrence of cancer.

The Encyclopedia of Cancer and Society is the first multivolume resource to define the issues that surround cancer and its effects on society. With more than 750 entries, these three volumes help students, practitioners, and researchers navigate through the terminology and concepts to better understand how cancer affects us way beyond the medical conditions that are regrettably more than obvious. The scope of the Encyclopedia encompasses the relative individual and societal aspects of cancer, from the latest research from the National Cancer Institute to studies on alternative diet and nutrition treatments.

Key Features

• Serves as a general and nontechnical resource for those in the fields of biology, sociology, health studies, and other social science
• Illustrates how behavior change is possible and offers great potential for cancer prevention
• Covers descriptions of all cancers and treatments, as well as possible causes
• Includes profiles of major cancer researchers, doctors, and all cancer associations
• Explores the status of cancer in major countries around the world
• Examines the relation between race and ethnicity and cancer risk
• Discusses controversies in cancer treatment and research

Key Themes

• Alternative Treatments and Therapies
• Associations by Cancer Type
• Associations Others
• Biographies
• Business of Cancer
• Cancer Around the World
• Cancer in Society
• Known or Suspected Carcinogens/Causes of Cancer
• Major Cancer Associations
• Major Hospitals and Treatment Centers
• Prevention
• Treatments and Therapies
• Types of Cancer

The Encyclopedia of Cancer and Society helps map out the lessons from past victories and strategies that can be applied to understand the problem and minimize the burden as we move forward. It is an outstanding reference for academic and public libraries, medical and nursing schools, biotechnology companies, and research institutions.