The Cancer Chronicles

More about the book

When the woman he loved was diagnosed with metastatic cancer, science-writer George Johnson embarked on a journey to learn everything about the disease and those dedicated to combating it. He discovered a revolution in understanding cancer, revealing an explosion of new ideas about its nature and origins. Johnson explores epidemiology, clinical trials, laboratory experiments, and scientific hypotheses to uncover what we know and don’t know about cancer, explaining why a cure remains elusive. His vivid accounts describe tumors evolving like alien creatures, paleo-oncologists finding petrified tumors on dinosaur and ancient human skeletons, and surprising shifts in scientific understanding regarding cancer's causes, with diet and environmental toxins playing a lesser role than previously thought. Most intriguingly, he reveals how cancer hijacks natural processes involved in healing wounds and human embryonic development, turning them against the body. Throughout his exploration, Johnson captures the human experience with poignant grace, documenting the arduous journey of consultations, surgeries, targeted therapies, and other treatments. Provocative and intellectually vibrant, this work challenges preconceived notions about cancer while offering hope for the future.