The History of Cancer, Treatments and Nutraceuticals: A Natural Form of Cancer Therapy

Abstract

The term cancer has unfortunately become commonplace in modern vernacular. In fact, approximately one-half of the male population in the United States and one-third of the female population will develop cancer at some stage in their lives [1]. Although cancer has existed for centuries, with some of its earliest descriptions dating back to Ancient Egypt, little remained known about the disease and how to effectively treat it [2]. For centuries, the belief that cancer was an untreatable illness remained unchallenged, thereby slowing the study of cancer as well as the development of its treatments. It was not until the last half a century that a clearer understanding of cancer and its key characteristics were uncovered. Such an understanding has consequently led to the adaptation and continual refinement of varying cancer therapies including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and targeted therapy.