Fatal Diseases Beyond Cystic Fibrosis: Cancer Overview

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, second only to cardiovascular disease in the U.S. It comprises >100 diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell growth, invasion, and metastasis.

Major Types & Mortality (U.S. Estimates)

• Lung & bronchus: #1 cancer killer (both sexes); strongly linked to smoking.
• Colorectal: #2; screenable, preventable via colonoscopy.
• Pancreatic: #3; late detection, aggressive.
• Breast (women) / Prostate (men): Most common incident cancers; high survival if early.
• Liver, esophageal, ovarian, brain: Poor prognosis due to late presentation.

Hallmarks of Cancer (Hanahan & Weinberg)

• Sustained proliferative signaling
• Evading growth suppressors
• Resisting cell death
• Enabling replicative immortality
• Inducing angiogenesis
• Activating invasion & metastasis
• Reprogramming energy metabolism
• Evading immune destruction

Prevention & Early Detection

• Tobacco avoidance (30% of cancer deaths)
• HPV & Hep B vaccination
• Screening: mammography, colonoscopy, Pap/HPV, LDCT (high-risk lung), PSA (shared decision)
• Healthy weight, diet, activity, alcohol moderation, sun protection

Cancer is not a single disease but a constellation of genomic disorders. Advances in immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and precision oncology are transforming outcomes for many previously fatal types.