Understanding Cancer

In the United States, 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. Here is some information to help you better understand what cancer is.

Learn About Cancer

slide showing cervical cancer cells
What Is Cancer?
Genes and Cancer
Can Cancer Be Cured?
A Brief History of Cancer
What Are Precancers?
How Does Cancer Spread?

More Resources

Interactive Anatomy Gallery

Explore our collection of 3D human anatomy tours with key information about different organ systems.
Finding Cancer Information on the Internet

Learn about what to look for and what to avoid as you look for the facts about cancer online.
Cancer Glossary: Definitions & Phonetic Pronunciations

Get definitions for commonly used cancer-related terms from the American Cancer Society.