Introduction

Cancer is a disease that has impacted far too many people. Although many forms of treatment options are available, adverse impacts from cancer — including health complications and even death — are far too prevalent. One of the more common forms of cancer is breast cancer. Breast cancer occurs when a tumor develops in the mammary glands.

This unit aims to address the following questions:

(1) What is cancer?

(2) Why are mammary glands susceptible to cancer?

(3) Why do breast tumors develop (i.e., on a molecular genetics, and cell biology level)?

(4) How are cancers treated?

(5) How can evolution inform the treatment of cancer for better outcomes?