Embark on a captivating journey that will fundamentally change how you see cancer—and perhaps life itself. Cancer is more than a disease. It is an integral part of who we are—complex biological and cultural beings with a limited life span. You will be surprised, challenged, and even amused by this eloquent synthesis of knowledge. Firmly rooted in science and the principles of evolution, this book is a must-read if you aim to understand cancer.

Jarle Breivik (MD, PhD, EdD) is a professor of medicine at the University of Oslo and a former Fulbright Scholar with a doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania. He is internationally recognized for his research on the evolutionary dynamics of cancer. His thought-provoking analyses represented in The New York Times, Scientific American, PNAS, EMBO Reports, and Wired Magazine, and have stimulated a profound debate about cancer, research, and biotechnology. In this book, Dr. Breivik brings it all together in a captivating story about humanity.

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“This remarkable book is not simply about cancer. It is a beautiful story about what it means to be human. It took me places I had never thought of and ended on a cliff hanger about the future of our civilization. I eagerly await the follow-up.”

—RICHARD SMITH, former Editor-in-Chief, The BMJ (British Medical Journal)

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“This book grabbed me like a thriller! As a cancer patient, I have asked many questions. My father also had bladder cancer, and my brother died of leukemia. This book helped me understand and accept.”

—ELIN SCHIVE, cancer survivor

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“With his panoramic view of cancer, Breivik’s brilliant writing and thought-provoking reflections will captivate both laypeople and researchers. A must-read that skillfully connects the life sciences in an illuminating manner.”

—MANUEL PERUCHO, professor em., Sanford Burnham Prebys, and Institute of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer.