PHCG3120 · Schiller Institute

Cancer Epidemiology

Cancer is the second leading cause of death today in many countries around the world in the aftermath of the epidemiological transition. Globally, cancer incidence will increase from an estimated 18.1 million new cases in 2018 to 29.5 million new cases by 2040, with the majority of the increase expected in low- and middle-income countries. Cancer is not a single disease, but comprises a broad spectrum of diseases. This course will provide the student with a thorough understanding of the biology and classification of tumors, the global descriptive epidemiology of cancer incidence, mortality, and survival. No country can treat its way out of the rising global burden of cancer. Therefore global cancer control strategies must focus on primary and secondary prevention of cancer as the most effective response to these public health challenges. The first step in cancer prevention is to identify the causes of human cancer and to determine what works in cancer prevention. The aim of the course is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills to identify relevant cancer types, their established and suspected risk factors and established measures of primary and secondary prevention (screening) of cancer, globally, regionally, and nationally. Within and between countries the poor are often more affected by cancer, therefore cancer control must also aim to reduce the social inequalities in cancer.