Bernard W Stewart and Paul Kleihues:

World Cancer Report 351 pp, Lyon, International Agency for Research on Cancer Press, 2003 ($48).

World Cancer Report is a publication of the World Health Organization. The editors and over 50 contributors have ‘compiled a summary of the current understanding of cancer causes, cancer development, prevention and treatment’. The authors hope that this book will provide a ‘scientific basis for public health action… to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and their families, everywhere in the world.’ The first chapter outlines the global burden of cancer, with statistics on cancer incidence and mortality worldwide. Subsequent chapters provide up-to-date technical reports on critical research topics, including carcinogen activation, DNA repair, oncogenes and apoptosis. Topics related to prevention and screening include a discussion of hepatitis B and human papillomavirus vaccination. Chapters on human cancers by organ site are also provided. The text is well-written with over 500 beautiful full-color illustrations, figures, charts and diagrams. Each chapter includes a list of references and websites for further independent study. World Cancer Report is beautifully prepared and filled with key information. I highly recommend this book for medical students, practicing physicians, allied health professionals and research scientists interested in oncology.