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In Cappadocia, Turkey, a mesothelioma epidemic causes 50% of all deaths in three small villages. This manuscript reports, from a personal viewpoint, the scientific advances that have come from studying the families who have an inherited predisposition to develop this disease and the social problems that they face.
Many cancers have been linked to nutrition and obesity. Although these problems have traditionally affected affluent people and countries, they are rapidly becoming problems of poverty. Understanding the factors behind these shifts may help us to reduce obesity and cancer risk.
