Normal body cells have a cycle of growth and death. Cancer cells, however, grow out of control and develop into a tumor. This process can take many years.
Metastasized tumors account for most deaths from cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, half of all men and one third of all women will develop cancer during their lifetime. It is the second leading cause of death in the U.S., second only to heart disease. Today, however, millions of people are living with cancer or have been cured of the disease. This is due to the tremendous advances in the understanding of cancer and its treatments. But long before these medical marvels were saving lives, there was a long and arduous journey along the road to cancer survival.