Cancer

One of the most common and often deadly diseases to afflict mankind that remains incurable, though the number and options for treatment continue to increase, is cancer.  Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth, or division of a group of cells beyond their normal limits.  Cancer is unique from benign tumors in that it possess the capability to invade adjacent tissues and metastasize or spread to other parts of the body via the blood or lymph.  Benign tumors are do not invade or spread to the rest of the body but are self-limited.
As of 2007, approximately 7.6 million people world wide died of cancer or suffered from cancer related deaths.  Though billions of dollars have been tagged towards research and development towards a cure for cancer, none exists.  Current treatment consists mostly of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as targeted therapy where certain drugs are able to act against molecular abnormalities typical of cancer and minimize damage to normal cells.
Cancer is caused as a result of abnormalities within the genetic material of the affected cells.  There can be several reasons for these abnormalities, such as the introduction of carcinogens, which include tobacco smoke, radiation and chemicals.   Other causes are less identifiable or predictable and may be due to errors in DNA replication or factors associated with heredity, whereby a person can inherit certain genetic abnormalities that may result in cancer.   The severity or degree of treat-ability for various forms of cancer depend on the location or tissues affected and the stage in which the cancer is detected.  If detected at an early stage of development than many types of cancer can successfully be treated and forced into remission.
Some preventative measures against cancer include avoiding known carcinogens, medical screenings, a healthy diet and exercise.